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 Major Groups | Insecta (insects) | Trichoptera (caddisflies) | Kokiriidae
 

Kokiriidae

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.
  • Taxonomic Checklist: Genera
    Tanjistomella
    Taskiria
    Taskiropsyche (larva unknown)

    Distribution: Vic, Tas

    Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 3

    Functional Feeding Group: predators

    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:
     
     
    Information Sources: Dean et al 2004, St Clair 2000a, Neboiss 2003 
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