The larva and female of Rhyacophila fonticola Giudicelli & Dakki, 1984 (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae), an interesting Betic–Rifean endemic species

Abstract

The female and last instar larva of the hitherto unknown Betic–Rifean species Rhyacophila fonticola Giudicelli & Dakki, 1984 are described and figured for the first time. Some notes on male variability and ecological preferences of this species are also included. The female is clearly different from that of the remainder species of the vulgaris group in the valvar structure of segment VIII. The larva belongs to the “Pararhyacophila group”, but an unusual character makes this species unique within this group: there are two gill tufts on each side of the first abdominal segment. This character makes the larva of R. fonticola clearly different from the remaining known Iberian species.