https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.1982.43.01 8 October 1982

A KEY TO THE VICTORIAN GENERA OF FREE-LIVING AND RETREAT-MAKING CADDIS-FLY LARVAE (INSECTA: TRICHOPTERA)

By David l. Cartwright and John C. Dean

Biology Laboratory, Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, Melbourne. Summary

A key is provided to Victorian genera of free-living and retreat-making Trichoptcra larvae of the families Philopotamidae, Polycentropodidae, Hydrobiosidae, Ecnomidae and Hydropsychidae. Twenty- eight genera are included, although some remain unidentified while the status of several others is uncer- tain. In addition larvae of four genera of Hydrobiosidae cannot be separated, and have been lumped in the key as the Taschorema complex.

Introduction pleteness they are included in the key to families. With the great upsurge in environmental and The keys have been developed for the Vic- ecological studies over the last few years, there torian fauna, and should be used elsewhere has been an increase in the demand for taxo- with caution. Erroneous identifications could nomic information. For Australian freshwater result in regions where non-Victorian genera environments, however, taxonomic informa- occur. It is also possible that species from tion has in general been found completely in- elsewhere in Australia may exhibit characters adequate. Although the immature stages of which fall outside the range found to define a caddis-flies represent an important component genus in Victoria, so that when the fauna of the of many inland water communities, there are whole of Australia is considered new generic very few descriptions of Australian larvae in the criteria will be required. The keys are primarily literature except at the family level (Riek, 1970; for later instar larvae, and difficulties could be Williams, 1980). encountered in keying out early instars. Ter- We have been investigating the taxonomy of minology generally follows that of Wiggins free-living and retreat-making Trichoptera lar- (1977). vae of the families Hydrobiosidae, Philopo- tamidae, Polycentropodidae, Ecnomidae and FAMILIES OF FREE-LIVING AND Hydropsychidae. Taxonomic knowledge of the KEY TO THE RETREAT-MAKING TRICHOPTERA LARVAE OF adults of Victorian species in these families un- VICTORIA fortunately is incomplete, and this has 1. Larvae campodeiform; abdominal presented some problems. There are numerous prolegs usually long, not fused at undescribed species and probably several base, anal claws terminal; tubercles undescribed genera, and in addition in many absent from abdominal segment one; cases it is not known whether genera described mostly free-living or retreat- from elsewhere in Australia also occur in Vic- makers toria. As a consequence many larval types can- SUPERFAMILIES RHYACO- allocated to a genus, either because we not be and HYDROPSY- the PHILOIDEA have not bred them out or because CHOIDEA associated adult cannot readily be accom- prolegs modated in any described genus. However, — Larvae eruciform; abdominal short, fused to form an apparent since it could be some time before all Victorian genera can be identified, we believe that a tenth abdominal segment, anal claws tubercles present on ab- preliminary guide is justified, and that the in- lateral; one; construct port- clusion of unidentified material will enhance the dominal segment value of the keys. Although the families able cases Hydroptilidae and Glossosomatidae are not SUPERFAMILY LIMNEPHILOI- considered in this paper, for the sake of corn- DEA (Not considered further)

Memoirs of the National Museum Victoria, 1 No. 43, 1982. C. DEAN DAVID I. CARTWR1GHT AND JOHN

communica- 2. Dorsal sclerotisation on first thoracic zothecula (Neboiss 1977, personal segment only (Fig. 33) 3 tion). In addition several species have been — Dorsal sclerotisation on all three transferred from the genus Taschorema to two thoracic segments, although in- new genera, Ethochorema and Ptychobiosis complete on mesonotum and (Neboiss, 1977). This is probably one of the few metanotum in some families (Figs. Trichoptera families for which taxonomic 27,28,41,51,52) 5 knowledge of the Victorian fauna is close to 3. Labrum membranous, anterior complete. margin considerably broader than We have bred through to the adult all known posterior margin (Fig. 23) Victorian species of the genera Apsilochorema, PHILOPOTAMIDAE Megogata, Psyllobetina, Koetonga, Ethochore- — Labrum sclerotised, anterior margin ma, Taschorema and Ptychobiosis, as well as not greatly broader than posterior five species of Ulmerochorema and one of the margin (Figs. 18, 34) 4 two Tanjilana species. Two additional larval 4. Protrochantin distinct and well types cannot be referred to the above genera, developed, prothoracic leg simple and presumably therefore represent the remain- (Figs. 31,32) ing Victorian genera, namely Allochorema and POLYCENTROPODIDAE Austrochorema. One of these larval types is — Protrochantin reduced, not at all ob- very similar to confirmed larvae of Austro- vious; prothoracic leg modified, chorema pegidion from Tasmania, and is ac- either chelate or with femur broad- cordingly included in the key as Austrochore- ened and with a field of stout spines ma, while the larva we have called 'Genus' A is

(Figs. 2, 8, 12,20) . . .HYDROBIOSIDAE more similar to Apsilochorema than other Vic- 5. Abdomen of final instar swollen, torian genera, and this suggests Allochorema as distinctly wider than head and the likely identity. thorax; final instar living in portable As mentioned above Neboiss (1977) trans- purse-like case (Fig. 51) ferred several species from the genus HYDROPTILIDAE Taschorema to the new genera Ethochorema — Abdomen not swollen, only slightly and Ptychobiosis. Although we have bred out wider than head and thorax; not liv- and are able to recognise all Victorian species ing in purse-like case 6 involved, we have been unable to identify 6. Mesonotum and metanotum each reliable characters to key out the genera. bearing a pair of small sclerites (Fig. Likewise we have been unable to key out the 52); living in dome-shaped portable genus Tanjilana, and as a consequence the stone case GLOSSOSOMAT1DAE genera Taschorema, Ethochorema, Ptycho- — Mesonotum and metanotum with biosis and Tanjilana are lumped in the key as sclerotisation complete or almost the Taschorema complex. complete (Figs. 27, 28, 39, 41) 7 7. Abdominal gills present (Figs. 39, 41) KEY TO VICTORIAN GENERA OF HYDROPSYCHIDAE HYDROBIOSIDAE

- . Abdominal gills absent .... ECNOMIDAE 1. Undersurface of head with pair of small posterior sclerites closely

associated with head capsule (Figs. 1, Hydrobiosidae 3) 2 The Hydrobiosidae of Australia were revised — Undersurface of head without by Neboiss (1962), who recorded twenty-four posterior sclerites 3 species from Victoria contained in nine genera. 2. Prosternum without sclerites (Fig. 1); Since then three additional species have been tarsal claw of prothoracic leg twice recorded from the state, Austrochorema nama, combined length of tibia and tarsus Ulmerochorema onychion and Tanjilana (Fig. 2) Apsilochorema CADDIS-FLY KEY

Figs. 4-6. Austrochorema. 4, prosternum; 5, pro- 1-9 HYDROBIOSIDAE Figures thoracic leg; 6, abdominal proleg.

* Figs. 7-9. Koetongct. 7, prosternum; 8, prothoracic leg; •/ / i headuoH and™h prothorax,nr^thnrav ven-vpn 8 Figs. 1-2. Apsilochorema. 1, abdominal proleg. tral; 2, prothoracic leg. 7-8) ventral. Scale lines: 0.1 mm (Figs. 6, 9); 0.2 mm (Figs. 1-5, Fig. 3. 'Ge/iwsM, head and prothorax, DAVID I. CARTWRIGHT AND JOHN C. DEAN

— Prosternum with pair of small rec- species also with a central sclerite

tangular sclerites (Fig. 3); tarsal claw (Fig. 15); frontoclypeus more of prothoracic leg only slightly longer uniformly pigmented, dark pigmen- than combined length of tibia and tation not restricted to posterior third tarsus 'Genus'A of head (Fig. 14) Psyllobetina 3. Prothoracic leg with femur broad- 7. Frontoclypeus long and narrow, ened, trochanter extending at least length/width ratio greater than 2.0; halfway along ventral margin of lateral margins with small con- femur (Figs. 5, 8, 12, 16); chela ab- spicuous rounded projections in sent (Figs. 5, 8, 12) or short and not posterior half (Fig. 21) Megogata well developed (Fig. 16); prosternum — Frontoclypeus not long and narrow,

generally with central sclerite reduced length/width ratio less than 1 .7; (Figs. 4, 11, 15) although with a lateral margins without conspicuous single exception (Fig. 7) 4 projections in posterior half (Figs. — Prothoracic leg with femur not 18, 22) Taschorema complex broadened, trochanter never extend- ing halfway along ventral margin of Philopotamidae femur (Fig. 20); chela long and well Two genera have been recorded from developed (Fig. 20); prosternum with Australia, Chimarra and Hydrobioseila. We single large sclerite (Fig. 19) 7 have bred out two species of each genus from 4. Apical spine of protrochanter Victoria, and have found the genera readily reaching cluster of spines on apical- distinguished on the basis of the processes on ventral angle of femur (Figs. 5, 8); the coxa of the prothoracic leg. In ventral spine at base of abdominal Hydrobioseila the coxa bears two sclerotised proleg long, slender and straight processes, each with a terminal seta, while (Fig. 9) or replaced by a long hair Chimarra has only a single sclerotised process (Fig- 6) 5 and basal to this a long dark seta arising di- — Apical spine of protrochanter not rectly from the surface of the coxa. Utilising reaching cluster of spines on apical- these criteria we have been able to recognise ad- ventral angle of femur (Figs. 12, 16); ditional species of both genera from mainland ventral spine at base of abdominal Australia. proleg short, stout and curved It should be mentioned, however, that we (Figs. 13,17) 6 have examined larvae from Tasmania which do 5. Central sclerite of prosternum twice not possess sclerotised processes on the coxa, as wide as long, two small antero- instead having two dark setae arising directly lateral sclerites also present (Fig. 4) from the surface. Neboiss (1977) has revised the Austrochorema adult Philopotamidae of Tasmania, and — Central sclerite of prosternum about recognised nine species all placed in the genus as wide as long, antero-lateral Hydrobioseila. He did, however, comment on sclerites absent (Fig. 7) Koetonga the presence of three quite distinctive species 6. Prosternum with single central groups on the basis of male genitalia; the H. sclerite, antero-lateral sclerites absent corinna group with four species, the H. (Fig. 11); frontoclypeus with dark tasmanica group with four species, and H. wad- pigmentation in posterior quarter dama. We have bred out //. waddama and a only, pigmentation extended outside species of the H. corinna group from Victoria, frontoclypeus to cover much of and both have two sclerotised processes. In the posterior third of head (Fig. 10) collection of the National Museum of Victoria Ulmerochorema there is a pupa of the H. tasmanica group, and — Prosternum with pair of small the associated larval parts do not have coxal antero-lateral sclerites, in and some processes. If this condition is common to all CADDIS-FLY KEY

14

14-17. Psyllobetina. 14, head; prosternum; 16, Figures 10-17 HYDROBIOSIDAE Figs. 15, prothoracic leg; 17, abdominal proleg.

prosternum; Scale lines: 0.1 (Figs. 13, 17); 0.2 mm (Figs. 10-12, Figs. 10-13. Ulmerochorema. 10, head; 11, mm 14-16) 12, prothoracic leg; 13, abdominal proleg. DAVID I. CARTWRIGHT AND JOHN C. DEAN

Figures 18-22 HYDROBIOSIDAE Figures 23-25 PHILOPOTAMIDAE Figs. 18-20. Taschorema. 18, head; 19, presternum; 20, , i ?, Fieg 7 Hydrobiosella.ww™/,; // ^ u a ^ prothoracic leg. £' \< 23, head; 24, prothoracic leg. ng Z5 ' Chimarra, Fig. 21. Megogata, head. " prothoracic leg. Fig. 22. Species of Taschorema complex, head. Scale lines: 0.2 mm . DF

CADDIS-FLY KEY

species of the H. tasmanica group, either our KEY TO VICTORIAN GENERA OF generic concept will have to be broadened or ECNOMIDAE erection of a new genus could perhaps be 1 Head ventrally flattened, lateral justified. This, however, is outside the scope of margins angular with conspicuous the present study, and since larvae without cox- ridge running full length of head cap- al processes have not been recorded from Vic- sule (Fig. 26) 'Genus' toria they have not been considered in the key — Head not ventrally flattened, lateral below. margins rounded and without con- spicuous ridge (Figs. 27, 28) 2 2. Frontoclypeus not obviously con- KEY TO VICTORIAN GENERA OF PHILOPOTAMIDAE stricted near middle; mesonotum in- completely sclerotised, membranous 1. Coxa of prothoracic leg with two 3 along midline (Fig. 27) 'Genus E sclerotised processes, each with a ter- — Frontoclypeus obviously constricted minal seta (Fig. 24) Hydrobiosella near middle; mesonotum completely — Coxa of prothoracic leg with a single sclerotised (Fig. 28) 3 sclerotised process, and basal to this 3. Mesonotum usually with broad and a long dark seta arising directly from ill-defined dark band extending obli- the surface of the coxa (Fig. 25) quely backwards from antero-lateral Chimarra corner (Fig. 30), although this band may be absent in some specimens Ecnomidae Ecnomus — Mesonotum always with narrow and All described Australian species have been sharply defined dark line extending referred to the genera Ecnomus and Ecnomina. obliquely backwards from antero- The only Victorian species recorded in the lateral corner (Fig. 29) 'Genus' literature are Ecnomus tillyardi and Ecnomina irrorata (Neboiss 1977, 1978). We have col- lected at least twelve larval species from the Polycentropodidae state, and have bred out males of seven of these. The Polycentropodidae of Victoria remain While the species of Ecnomus form a well virtually uninvestigated. The only records in the defined group, described species of Ecnomina literature are Plectrocnemia australica and a both collected during fall into several distinct species groups on the species of Nyctiophylax, basis of structure of the genitalia and minor the Dartmouth environmental survey (Smith et Australia details of the wings (Neboiss, personal com- al. 1977). Other genera recorded from munication). Future erection of new genera to are Polyplectropus from New South Wales, accommodate some of these species groups is a Tasmanoplegas from Tasmania and Hyalo- (Mosely Kim- definite possibility, and such an approach is psyche from North Queensland & supported by evidence in the larvae. In addition mins, 1953; Neboiss, 1977, 1980). records of seven distinctive larval to species of Ecnomus, we have collected larvae We have here placed of seven ecnomid species which we consider species from Victoria, and these are probably represent three different genera. We into five 'genera'. We have bred out two species Nyctiophylax, while have bred out adults of two of these presumed each of Plectrocnemia and larval species remain uniden- genera, and both would be identified as Ec- the other three larval type we have designated nomina using currently available adult taxo- tified. The is instantly recognizable by its large nomy. Until adult taxonomy has been revised, 'Genus' G size and the fused tibia and tarsus in the pro- generic identification of these larvae is not mesothoracic legs. We suspect that this lar- possible, and for this reason they are included and val type will prove to be Stenopsychodes. in the key as 'Genus' D, 'Genus' E and 'Genus' However, until this is confirmed it seems more DAVID I. CARTWRIGHT AND JOHN C. DEAN H

CADDIS-FLY KEY

appropriately placed with the Polycentropo- — Anal claw with ventral teeth and/or didae rather than in the family Stenopsychidae. processes (Figs. 37, 38) 4 Likewise we have not bred through larvae of 4. Anal claw with ventral processes near our 'Genus' H, which would in fact be identified base, without accessory dorsal spine

y as a Stenopsychidae using the key in Williams (Fig. 37) 'Genus I (1980). However, that key is based upon — Anal claw without ventral processes described larvae of the type genus Stenopsyche, near base, accessory dorsal spine pre- which is restricted in distribution to Asia and sent (Fig. 38) Nyctiophylax central Africa, and which is not necessarily rele- vant to the Australian situation. Indeed Schmid Hydropsychidae has (1969) drawn attention to the considerable Although eight genera of Hydropsychidae differences between Stenopsyche and Steno- have been recorded from Australia, there are psychodes in at adults least, and has suggested literature records for only four from Victoria. that the two genera should in be placed different We have examined larvae of at least thirteen sub-families. The status of 'Genus' I has also Victorian species, and these appear to represent caused us some concern. We have examined a six genera. We have bred out species of the male pupa of a species from this group, and the genera Asm icridea and Cheumatopsyche, while genitalia appeared to be of the Nyctiophylax the other larval types remain unidentified. type. have We also seen larvae from Tasmania One of our larval types has been figured by which have ventral processes on the anal claw Riek (1970) as Macronema. However, since we as well as an accessory dorsal spine, and which have not confirmed this the larva is included in therefore cannot in be accommodated the key the key as 'Genus' J. It should be noted that below. Until a full taxonomic revision of both Korboot (1964) has figured a larva under the adults and larvae has been completed generic name Macronemum torrenticola, which ob- identity will remain uncertain. viously is not congeneric with Riek's KEY TO VICTORIAN GENERA OF Macronema. A second unidentified larval type, POLYCENTROPODIDAE with at least two Victorian species, we have designated 'Genus' K. We have examined 1. Pro- and mesothoracic legs with tibia specimens of this larval type from both and tarsus fused (Fig. 31) 'Genus* G Tasmania and Western Australia, and the only — Pro- and mesothoracic legs with tibia genus known to be common to these two and tarsus not fused (Fig. 32) 2 regions for which we have no knowledge of the 2. Frontoclypeus not obviously con- larva is Smicrophylax. stricted near middle (Fig. 36); ab- The remaining two larval types from Victoria dominal segments without lateral belong to a group which may be termed the fringe of fine setae 'Genus' Diplectrona complex. This consists of some — Frontoclypeus obviously constricted fourteen described Australian species, which near middle (Fig. 34); abdominal have been referred to the genera Diplectrona, segments with lateral fringe of fine Austropsyche and Sciops. The generic taxo- setae (Fig. 33) 3 nomy of these species is, however, in urgent 3. Anal claw without ventral teeth or need of revision. Several species described processes (Fig. 35) Plectrocnemia under the genus Diplectrona are obviously con- Figures 26-30 ECNOMIDAE generic with Austropsyche victoriana, while of

1 Fig. 26. 'Genus D, head and prothorax, lateral, cross the two species of Sciops one appears to be con- section of head. generic with Austropsyche victoriana while the Fig. 27. 'Genus' E, head and thorax, dorsal. second is probably congeneric with other Figs. 28-29. 'Genus' F. 28, head and thorax, dorsal, cross section of head; 29, mesonotum, lateral species at present contained in the genus Diplec- (anterior to left). trona. We have separated larvae of this com- Fig. 30. Ecnomus, mesonotum, lateral (anterior to plex on the basis of the presence or left). absence of a Scale lines: 0.2 mm transverse constriction of the pronotum. Proof 10 DAVID I. CARTWRIGHT AND JOHN C. DEAN

34

Figures 31-38 POLYCENTROPODIDAE Fig. 36. 'Genus' H, head.

Fig. 37. 'Genus' I, anal claw. Fig. 31. 'Genus' G, prothoracic leg. Fig. 38. Nyctiophylax, anal claw. Figs. 32-35. Plectrocnemia. prothoracic 32, leg; 33, whole Scale lines: 0.1 mm (Figs. 37, 38); 0.2 mm (Figs 31 32 animal; 34, head; 35, abdominal proleg. 34-36); 1.0 mm (Fig. 33) CADDIS-FLY KEY 11

44

43

Figures 39-45 HYDROPSYCHIDAE

Figs. 44-45. Asmicridea. Figs. 39-40. 'Genus' J. 39, whole animal; 40, prothoracic 44, head, dorsal; 45, head, ven-

tral - leg. Figs. 41-43. Cheumatopsyche. 41, whole animal; 42, pro- thoracic leg; 43, head, ventral. Scale lines: 0.2 mm (Figs. 40, 42-45); 1.0 mm (Figs. 39, 41). 12 DAVID I. CARTWRIGHT AND JOHN C. DEAN M

CADDIS-FLY KEY 13

of the validity of such a division must await ex- 5. Pronotum with transverse constric- tensive breeding out of adults. However, Wig- tion in posterior half (Fig. 48) 1 gins (1977) has used the same character to 'Genus L separate North American genera within the — Pronotum without transverse con- subfamily Diplectroninae. Although we are not striction in posterior half (Fig. 50) prepared to allocate generic names to the two 'Genus' larval types, our 'Genus' L includes Austro- psyche victoriana, which we have bred out, Acknowledgements while larvae of 'Genus' M agree with the We are grateful to Dr. A. Neboiss of the Na- description of Diplectrona larvae given by Wig- tional Museum of Victoria for his assistance gins (1977). and encouragement during the preparation of this paper, especially for identification of adult KEY TO VICTORIAN GENERA OF material and for making available larval HYDROPSYCHIDAE material in the collection of the National Museum. thank Dr. Neboiss and Dr. J. 1. Posterior ventral apotome of head We University, South Carolina, very small, much less than half as Morse of Clemson for on earlier drafts of the long as median ecdysial line linking it comments J. Blyth and fellow with anterior ventral apotome (Fig. manuscript, and Mr. workers in the Survey Department of the Na- 43) 2 for using and com- — Posterior ventral apotome of head tional Museum of Victoria menting upon earlier drafts of the keys. larger, at least half as long as median ecdysial line linking it with anterior ventral apotome (Fig. 45) 3 References 2. Protrochantin forked (Fig. 42); ab- Korboot, K., 1964. Four new species of Caddis Flies Ent. Soc. dominal gills with branches stout and (Trichoptera) from Eastern Australia. J. Qlnd. 3: 32-41. not linear, gills not feather-like in ap- Mosely, M. E. and Kimmins, D. E., 1953. The Trichoptera (Fig. Cheumatopsyche pearance 41) (Caddis-flies) of Australia and New Zealand. British — Protrochantin simple (Fig. 40); ab- Museum of Natural History, London. dominal gills with lateral branches Neboiss, A., 1962. The Australian Hydrobiosinae (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae). Pacif. Insects. 4: slender and linear, gills feather-like 521-582. in appearance (Fig. 39) 'Genus* J Neboiss, A., 1977. A taxonomic and zoogeographic study 3. Frontoclypeus either not constricted of Tasmanian Caddis-Flies (Insecta: Trichoptera). in anterior half, or with constriction Mem. natn. Mus. Vict. 38: 1-208. from three very shallow (Figs. 44, 46) 4 Neboiss, A., 1978. A review of Caddis-flies coastal islands of south-eastern Queensland (Insecta: — Frontoclypeus very obviously con- Trichoptera) . A ust. J. Mar. Freshwat. Res. 29: (Fig. 49) 5 stricted in anterior half 825-843. 4. Head with well developed carina Neboiss, A., 1980. First record of the subfamily Hyalo- 3 (Figs. 46, 47) 'Genus K psychinae from Australia (Trichoptera: Polycen- — Head without carina (Fig. 44) tropodidae). Archiv. Hydrobiol. 90: 357-361. (Chapter 35). In: The Asmicridea Riek, E. F., 1970. Trichoptera. Insects of Australia, ed. I. M. Mackerras. Melbourne University Press, Melbourne. Figures 46-50 HYDROPSYCHIDAE Schmid, F., 1969. La Famille des Stenopsychides Figure 51 HYDROPTILIDAE (Trichoptera). Can. Ent. 101: 187-224. Figure 52 GLOSSOSOMATIDAE Smith, B. J., Malcolm, H. E., and Morison, P. B., 1977. Aquatic Invertebrate fauna of the Mitta Mitta Valley, head, dorsal; 47, head, lateral. Figs. 46-47. 'Genus' K. 46, Victoria. Vic. Nat. 94: 228-238. head and prothorax, lateral. Fig 48. 'Genus' L, Larvae the North American Cad- head and Wiggins, G., 1977. of Figs. 49-50. 'Genus' M. 49, head, dorsal; 50, disfly Genera. University of Toronto Press, Toronto. prothorax, lateral. Williams, W. D., 1980. Australian Freshwater Life. The Fig. 51. Hydroptilidae, whole animal. dorsal. Invertebrates of Australian Inland Waters. Macmillan Fig. 52. Glossosomatidae, head and thorax, Australia, Melbourne. 2nd Edition. (Figs. 48-52). Company of Scale lines: 0.2 mm (Figs. 46, 47); 0.5 mm