Code QT099999

Small or rather small Trichoptera, with a world-wide distribution (excepting the Neotropical). Recognised as larvae by the postnotum being sclerotised, the mesonotum and metanotum being membranous, and especially by the modification of the labium into a spinneret extending beyond the anterior head. In addition, the post-mental sclerites are distinct, the fore trochantin broad and hatchet-shaped, the abdomen lacks gills and the basal segment of the abdominal proleg is much shorter than the distal segment. Both psychomyiids and the similar Dipseudopsidae have an elongate labium modified as a spinneret, but in the psychomiids this is shorter than the head capsule; in dipseudopsids is it is longer. Addiitonally, in psychomiid larvae the posterior of the frontoclypeus extereaches back only to mid-posterior head capsule, whereas in dipseudoposids it reaches the posterior margin.

Constructing silken retreats on solid substrates.

In Australia, two monotypic genera are known as adult only from north Queensland. The larvae have not been found in Australia, but are keyed based upon extra-limital taxa.

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.