Abstract
Abstract. Philanisus plebeius had a univoltine life cycle with adults present from November to April in the South Island of New Zealand. Males predominated in light trap collections in all months and the mean size of adult insects declined over the flight period. There are probably seven larval instars which inhabited the marine intertidal zone and fed primarily on non‐calcareous algae. Pupae were found only on the red alga, Corallina officinalis. Caddisfly eggs were found during most of the year in the coelom of an intertidal starfish, Patiriella regularis. Oviposition is probably through the popular pores and newly hatched larvae may leave the host via the same route or through the stomach wall. Egg development time was greater than 30 days at 16–18°C. P.plebeius probably colonized New Zealand from Australia after the unusual oviposition behaviour had evolved in association with the Australian cushion star, Patiriella exigua. P.regularis is less abundant and occurs lower on the shore than P.exigua and may be inaccessible to some caddisflies which oviposit amongst intertidal algae.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call