Major Group: Insecta Order: Trichoptera Family: Plectrotarsidae |
Descriptive Features: head round
antennae located halfway between eye and anterolateral angle of head capsule
pronotum clearly wider than long, posterior half with transverse elliptical bulge on each side, the 2 bulges almost meeting at midline
prosternum with ventral horn, either long or reduced to short projection
meso- and metanotum each with 3 pairs of sclerites
abdominal segment 1 with 2 pairs of small dorsal sclerites
lateral and dorsal humps well developed
abdominal segments 1-6 bearing gills
abdominal segments 3-8 with lateral fringe of short setae
abdominal segment 8 without lateral row of spicules
anal claw with 2-3 accessory dorsal teeth
Total length: 8 - 12 mm
Case: Cylindrical, constructed of concentric rings of plant material, usually somewhat untidy with numerous trailing pieces of vegetable material. |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Genera Liapota lavara Neboiss, 1959 (larva unknown) Nanoplectrus truchanasi Neboiss, 1977 (larva unknown) Plectrotarsus (1 undescribed genus) |
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Distribution: NSW, Vic, Tas, S WA. This family is endemic to Australia. Liapota and Nanoplectrus occur only in Tasmania and as yet the larvae are unknown.
Sensitivity Rating: none
Functional Feeding Group: shredders
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Normans Lagoon, Albury NSW |
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Ecology: Instream habitat: Plectrotarsid larvae are restricted to standing waters with dense macrophyte cover, and can be collected from small reservoirs, swamps, backwaters of small streams and temporary pools. Feeding ecology: Plectrotarsus gravenhorsti larvae are detritivores feeding on pieces of decomposing plants. The biology of other Australian species is unknown. Habit: Larvae construct untidy, tubular cases from short, irregularly arranged, cut pieces of vegetation. Life history: Mating takes place during daylight. At the time of pupation, the final instar larva burrows into benthic sediments where it attaches the anterior end of the case to roots, or some other course material, then seals both ends of the case internally with a finely but irregularly perforated membrane. |
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Information Sources: Dean 2000, Dean et al 2004, Williams 1980, Neboiss 1986, 1987, 2003 |
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More ››› key to genera
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