Major Group: Insecta Order: Trichoptera Family: Kokiriidae |
Descriptive Features: head somewhat laterally flattened or rounded
eyes small or very elongate
antennae medium length to long, close to the front margin of head
head setae longer than head, some may be dark
ventral apotome reaches back of head
strongly tapering pronotum with a slight groove
meso- and metanotum with lightly sclerotised plates not covering the segments
abdominal segment 1 with large lateral humps and small, possibly retracted (or absent) dorsal hump
abdominal segments 1 and/or 2 with setae ventrally
fore- and midlegs with femur greatly enlarged and tibia and tarsus fused, the fore- and mid femur with or without a sensory pit
trochantin extremely small, what appears to be a mesotrochantin present or absent
hind legs with or without spine-like setae
gills divided
Total length: less than 15 mm
Case: Tubular or flattened tubular, made of sand or detritus, with or without a flange. |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Genera Tanjistomella Taskiria Taskiropsyche (larva unknown) |
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Distribution: Vic, Tas
Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 3
Functional Feeding Group: predators
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Ecology: Instream habitat: Kokiriid larvae appear to be strongly associated with stable sand deposits in runnels, streams and lakes. Generally they are found in low numbers. Feeding ecology: Larvae are predatory with the fore- and midlegs strongly modified for prey capture. They are commonly known as ‘killer caddis’. Habit: Larvae construct a tubular case of sand grains, depressed dorso-ventrally, with lateral flanges. Life history: |
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Information Sources: Dean et al 2004, St Clair 2000a, Neboiss 2003 |
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