Climacia californica Chandler, 1953 (Neuroptera: Sisyridae) in Utah: taxonomic identity, host association and seasonal occurrence

Abstract

We provide a record of spongillaflies (Sisyridae) with an associated host sponge from a population found in Spring Creek, Utah. We monitored the population for the 2016 field season to identify the insect and its associated host sponge and to establish the seasonal period of the insect’s presence in the adult stage. We also evaluated the commonly used sampling techniques of sweeping and light trapping and made natural history observations. We identified the spongillaflies as Climacia californica Chandler, 1953 and the sponge to be Ephydatia fluviatilis (Linnaeus, 1758). We collected 1726 adults, and light trapping proved to be the superior collecting method. The population was characterised by a two-week emergence peak occurring at the end of July to beginning of August followed by a steep decline. Other habitats within the state contained E. fluviatilis and should be sampled using light traps at times when peak abundances are predicted to further understand the distribution of C. californica across the state and the Intermountain West. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:F795281F-0042-4F5F-B15B-F6C584FACF2B