Life history and microdistribution of Neureclipsis bimaculata (Trichoptera: Polycentropodidae) in a lake outflow stream of Alberta, Canada

Abstract

A population of Neureclipsis bimaculata was studied from November 1980 to September 1982. The life cycle was bivoltine during both years. Development was direct and the population overwintered as larvae. The summer generation took only 6 to 7 weeks to complete, while the winter generation took the remainder of the year. Adult emergence took place from late May to early September, with two distinct peaks corresponding to the two generations. In both years summer generation larvae and adults were much more numerous than the winter generation. Production of this population (both generations) was estimated at 3.43 g∙m−2∙year−1 (ash free dry mass). The type and abundance of aquatic macrophytes influenced larval microdistribution by acting as a substratum for the large capture nets of larvae. Potamogeton richardsonii and Equisetum were important substrata in summer. In winter, Chara was an important substratum, since it was the only major structural component on the mud-sand bottom during that season. Maintenance of capture nets was seasonal (May to September or early October) and appeared to be related to temperature. Cumulative degree-days were not sufficient to account for apparent differences in voltinism between populations; these differences may be a function of food supply, which in part is related to the productivity of the water body.