Rhyacophila quadratai> n. sp., a new caddisfly (Insecta, Trichoptera) from Eocene Baltic amber

Abstract

Rhyacophila quadrata n. sp., a new fossil caddisfly, is described from Eocene Baltic amber. The new species belongs to the family Rhyacophilidae whose extant larvae prefer cool running-water habitats. In Baltic amber, the genus Rhyacophilai> is now represented by only seven species, whereas more than 500 extant species are described from the Holarctic region. Differences in the biodiversity patterns of the rare fossil faunas and extant species are discussed.