A study of the larvae of caddisflies (trichoptera) from cuba

Abstract

The larvae of Caddisflies from Cuba were extremely poorly known, in contrast to the adults of these insects. By sampling and examining «metamorphotypes» (i.e. closed pupal cases containing not only the pupa, but also the larval sclerites shed at pupation, and, if the pupa is «ripe», also allowing examination of the genitalia), and also by using circumstantial evidence, the larvae of a number of species from a collection made by the author in 1973 were associated with adults. Described and illustrated here are all associated larvae (and sometimes cases) offering reliable characters for their identification, in the genera Campsiophora Flint 1964, Carboptila Flint 1964, Alisotrichia Flint 1964, Leucotrichia Mosely 1934, Neotrichia Norton 1905, Chimarra Stephens 1829, Austrotinodes Schmid 1955, Antillopsyche Banks 1941, Hydropsyche Pictet 1834, Smicridea McLachlan 1871, Leptonema Guérin-Méneville 1843, Macronema Pictet 1836, Marilia F. Müller 1880, Nectopsyche F. Müller 1879, Helicopsyche Von Siebold 1856. Practically all the larvae described are new. Descriptions and illustration are limited to details that appear to be really useful for distinguishing species, taking into account the existing experience with the respective genera. Also described are some non-associated but clearly distinct and not previously described larvae, whereas well associated larvae in several genera, not offering clearly distinctive characters, are left undescribed. In several cases the present study will broaden our knowledge of the Caddisfly fauna of Cuba, or direct attention to various questions (probably additional, maybe new, species: see Leucotrichia, Hydropsyche, Helicopsyche, possible synonymies: see Xiphocentron Brauer 1870, Smicridea; generic placement: see Hydropsyche; elevation from subspecific to specific rank: see Helicopsyche). © 1994 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.