The larva of Drusus vinconi Sipahiler, 1992 (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae, Drusinae)

Johann Waringer,Simon Vitecek,Miklós Bálint,Lujza Ujvárosi,Ana Previšić,Steffen Pauls,Mladen Kučinić,Wolfram Graf

doi:10.3897/zookeys.317.5749

Abstract

This paper describes the previously unknown larva of Drusus vinconi Sipahiler, 1992. Information on the morphology of the 5th larval instar is given, and the most important diagnostic features are illustrated. In the context of existing identification keys the larva of Drusus vinconi keys together with Drusus annulatus (Stephens, 1837), Drusus biguttatus (Pictet, 1834), Drusus ingridae Sipahiler, 1993, Hadimina torosensis Sipahiler, 2002 and Leptodrusus budtzi (Ulmer, 1913). These species differ in the contours of the pronotum in lateral view, the presence/absence of the pronotal transverse groove, the shape of the median notch of the pronotum (in anterior view), pronotal sculpturing, presence/absence of the lateral carina of the head capsule, the number of proximo-dorsal setae on the mid-and hind femora, where the lateral fringe starts on the abdomen, and in geographic distribution. With respect to zoogeography, Drusus vinconi is a (micro-)endemic of the Western Pyrenees. The species prefers stony substratum in springs and springbrooks of the montane and subalpine region (Graf et al. 2008; Sipahiler 1992, 1993). As a grazer, the larvae of Drusus vinconi feed on biofilm and epilithic algae.

Highlights

Thirty species are reported from the Alpine chain, another 34 species are known from the Balkan Peninsula
To improve our knowledge of larval Drusinae taxonomy, we provide the description of the larva of Drusus vinconi Sipahiler, 1992 based on larval material collected in the Département Pyrénées-Atlantiques of the French Midi-Pyrénées region
Species affiliation was enabled by the fact that putative Drusus vinconi larvae were collected close to their locus typicus where the only other Drusinae larvae present, D. discolor (Rambur, 1842), are clearly different from the species in question by their dense hair cover on head and pronotum

Summary

Introduction

A total of species have been described from south and southwestern Europe (Apennine, Iberia, Corsica, Pyrenees, southern France), and species and 2 subspecies are known from Asia Minor and the Caucasus (Graf et al 2008; Ivanov 2011; Malicky 2004, 2005; Oláh 2010, 2011; Sipahiler 2005; ). The larvae of only 41 species (41%) have been described so far and included in keys (Botosaneanu 1959; Décamps and Pujol 1975; Despax 1927; Graf et al 2011; Kučinić et al 2008, 2010, 2011a, b; Moretti & Pirisinu 1981; Moretti, 1983; Previšić et al 2009; Sipahiler 2002; Szczesny 1978; Vieira-Lanero 2000; Vieira-Lanero et al 2005; Waringer et al 2008; Waringer & Graf 2011). To improve our knowledge of larval Drusinae taxonomy, we provide the description of the larva of Drusus vinconi Sipahiler, 1992 based on larval material collected in the Département Pyrénées-Atlantiques of the French Midi-Pyrénées region

Methods

Results

Conclusion