Psectrocladius (Psectrocladius) elatus Roback

Namayandeh, Armin, Bilyj, Bohdan, Beresford, David V., Somers, Keith M. & Dillon, Peter J., 2012, 3324, Zootaxa 3324, pp. 1-65 : 40-42

Psectrocladius (Psectrocladius) elatus Roback

Figs 32A–F

Diagnosis. Labrum and premandible as in Fig. 32A; SI seta palmate with 8 teeth; premandible simple without brush; antenna ( Fig. 32B) 5-segmented, with long basal segment, AR about 3.0; mandible ( Fig. 32C) with long apical tooth 1.5x length of combined inner teeth, seta interna present; mentum with broad median tooth with pair of slightly raised central projections; VM plates well developed with short beard; posterior end of abdomen as in Fig. 32E; procercus with several small basal spurs, occasionally fused together ( Fig. 32F).

Notes. In keying the larva using Epler (2001), couplet 9 was problematic in differentiating the mentum and premandible. The characterization of the mentum for Psectrocladius (P.) elatus should indicate median tooth slightly raised apically with small central projections, as illustrated in the original description by Roback (1957, fig. 243). The premandible shown by Roback (1957, fig. 248) is not quite as broad distally and the pigmentation consists of brownish streaks not a completely darkened tooth. It is suggested that Psectrocladius (Psectrocladius) simulans (Johannsen) be keyed first with broadly arched median tooth without “square-shouldered, then separating P. (P.) elatus with a much broader median tooth.

Ecology and habitat. Larvae are common in softwater streams ( Epler 2001). Larvae are collector-gatherer. In study streams it occurred in all habitats. Sampling sites. Little White River, Massasauga, and Arrowhead Provincial Parks and Muskoka District . Nearctic distribution. First published record for Canada: Ontario. USA: Florida, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina , and South Carolina.