Code QT139999

Small to medium sized Trichoptera which inhabit fast, clear streams. The larvae build a tubular case of small stones with larger pieces along the sides.

Larval head with antennae midway between eye and lateral margin. Eyes bulging. Anterolateral angles of pronotal sclerite extended. Mesonotal sclerites not subdivided. Metanotal sclerites in two pairs. Abdominal segment 1 carries a median pair of bristles. Abdominal gills present as single filaments. Lateral fringe present. Dorsal sclerite present on abdominal segment 9.

The family Tasimiidae is restricted to Australia and the Neotropical region, where there are 2 genera on each land mass. The six Australia species are found in the south-east from southern Queensland to Tasmania, and in South Australia.

References:

Dean, J.C. and Cartwright, D.I. (1991) Keys to families of Australian Trichoptera larvae. Taxonomy Workshop, Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Victoria, Australia.

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.