Oecetis gilva Neboiss

Wells, Alice, 2006, A review of Australian long-horned caddisflies in the Oecetis pechana-group (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae), with descriptions of thirteen new species, Memoirs of Museum Victoria 63 (2), pp. 107-128 : 127-128

Oecetis gilva Neboiss

Figures 54, 55, 75

Oecetis gilva Neboiss, 1977: 145 , figs 774–776. — Neboiss, 1979: 840, figs 35, 36; Neboiss, 1986: 268.

Holotype. Male, Tas., South Esk R. near Evandale ( NMV T-5491).

Material examined. Eighty-seven samples examined, from localities in south-eastern Australia; 2 samples examined from far north-eastern SA.

Diagnosis. In features of wing venation, pattern of markings, and male genitalia resembling O. pechana superficially, but wings broader and more rounded apically, and male generally without scales on anterior wing, inferior appendages tapered distally. This species lacks a paramere in the phallus, a feature shared with O. ada sp. nov., but unlike that species the phallotheca forms a pale dorsal spine.

Revised description. Wings relatively broad, forewing length 9.1–9.6 mm, rounded apically, male forewing with or without scales.Abdominal segments III–V with tergites well sclerotised; IX short; segment X narrow, membranous, rounded apically. Male genitalia; figs 54, 55. Pre-anal appendages short, rounded apically. Phallus about twice length of segment IX, beak-like apico-ventrally, without a paramere, but in lateral view extended in a short, pale apico-dorsal spine. Inferior appendages clasper-shaped in ventral view, with basi-dorsal dorsal pouch; in lateral view, expanded and rounded dorsally, tapered to acute apex.

Distribution. A common species in SE Australia, O. gilva occurs from northern NSW, throughout Vic., to the Flinders Ranges in SA and south to Tas.

Remarks. The diagnosis of O. gilva is expanded here to include the curious scaly winged form that has been collected together with O. gilva , s. str. from several lakes in Victoria. In all respects other than presence of patches on the wings, these animals appear to be identical. The winged forms could conceivably be hybrids between O. gilva and O. pechana . O. gilva is often abundant in still to slow waters; the larvae build tube cases of sand.