Code QT269999

Medium to large-sized larvae (up to 14mm long), building retreats of branched silken tubes attached to logs deeply embedded in sand in tropical rivers.

The labium is characteristically developed as an elongate spinneret that protrudes well beyond the anterior head, which helps readily distinguish dipseudopsids from all other Trichoptera, except the rather similar Psychomyiidae. The frontoclypeus extends to the posterior margin of the head capsule in dipseudopsids, whereas in psychomyiids it does not reach the margin. The pronotum is sclerotised: the meso- and metanotum membranous. The abdomen lacks gills, the abdominal prolegs are strongly developed and the claws are terminal.

The family is represented in Australia by larvae from far north Queensland.

References:

Dean, J.C., St Clair, R.M. and Cartwright, D.J. (1995) A key to late instar larvae of Australian Trichoptera families. In: Hawking, J.H. (ed.) Monitoring River Health initiative: Taxonomic Workshop Handbook. Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Victoria, Australia.