Code QT259999

Very common, medium to large Trichoptera found in a wide range of habitats: from mountain streams to lakes, including temporary pools and saline waters. The larvae build tubular cases of mineral and plant material, but construction details vary widely across the family. Some use hollowed out pieces of wood or grass stems. Others make their cases from many small pieces fastened together, either in a neat helical pattern, or with trailing stems, or as a square-section case of flat material fastened edge-to-edge like paddle-pop sticks.

Larval head moderately elongate with a prominent labrum. Antennae long (for Trichoptera), arising at the anterolateral margin near the base of the mandibles (in one genus minute and placed half way between eye and anterior margin). Mesonotal plates only lightly sclerotised, metanotum either membranous or with sclerites. Hind legs much longer than the other legs. Abdominal segment 1 with dorsal and lateral humps. Abdominal gills present or absent, single or branched. Lateral fringe usually but not always present. Segment 8 with a row of bifid spicules.

The family Leptoceridae is common and known from all biogeographic regions. In Australia, at least 80 species in 14 genera are known.

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.

Neboiss, A. (1991) Trichoptera. pp. 787-816. In: CSIRO, Insects of Australia . Volume 2. Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Victoria.

Neboiss, A. (1992) Illustrated keys to the families and genera of Australian Trichoptera. 1. Adults. Australian Society for Limnology Special Publication 9. pp. 87.

St Clair, R.M. (1993) The Australian Leptoceridae (larvae). Taxonomy Workshop, Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Victoria, Australia.