Rheocricotopus (Rheocricotopus) tuberculatus Caldwell

Namayandeh, Armin, Bilyj, Bohdan, Beresford, David V., Somers, Keith M. & Dillon, Peter J., 2012, 3324, Zootaxa 3324, pp. 1-65 : 45-46

Rheocricotopus (Rheocricotopus) tuberculatus Caldwell

Figs 36A–D

Diagnosis. Head ( Fig. 36A) strongly rugose with pair of ventrolateral tubercles; SI seta bifid; premandible with single apical tooth, and weak brush; antenna ( Fig. 36B) 5-segmented, LO distinct, AR 1.4–1.5; mandible with long apical tooth, about as long as combined length of three inner teeth; mentum ( Fig. 36C) with broad median tooth, notched apically and with small lateral accessory tooth, about 4x the width of 1 st of 5 lateral teeth; VM plates ( Fig. 36D) large, triangular with beard consisting of about 30 setae; procercus lightly sclerotized with one preapical and two basal spurs.

Notes. The median tooth of the mentum, is apically indented as observed by Epler (2001), but may be lacking due to wear. Some additional features that can be included in Caldwell’s (1984: 85) original description: surface of head capsule strongly rugose, premandible with a weak brush and procercus with preapical and basal spurs.

Ecology and habitat. In study streams they were less common than Rh. eminellobus but occurred in the same habitats. Larvae of this species are shredders and often very common in habitats with heavy leaf litter. Sampling sites. Arrowhead Provincial Park and Muskoka District . Nearctic distribution. First published record for Canada: Ontario . USA: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee .