The Taxonomy of the Trichoptera (Caddisflies) of the Saskatchewan River System in Saskatchewan

Abstract

The taxonomy of immature and mature Trichoptera of the North Saskatchewan, South Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Rivers in Saskatchewan was studied from 1971-1973. Pupae were reared to the adult stage and larvae were associated with adults. Keys were made to the specific level for species collected. Thirty-eight species in eight families and seventeen genera were collected. The thirty-eight species collected include Protoptila cantha Ross, P. tenebrosa (Walker), Neureclipsis bimaculatus (Linnaeus), N. crepuscularis (Walker), Psychomyia flavida Hagen, Hydropsyche bifida Banks, H. bronta Ross, H. recurvata Banks, H. placoda Ross, H. occidentalis Banks, H. guttata Pictet, Cheumatopsyche speciosa (Banks), f. lasia Ross, C. campyla Ross, Agraylea multipunctata Curtis, Hydroptila spatulata Morton, H. ajax Ross, H. comsimilis Morton, H. angusta Ross, Neotrichiahalia Denning, N. ersitis Denning, Mayatrichia ayama Mosely, Phryganeacinerea Walker, Onocosmoecus unicolor (Banks), Anabolia bimaculata (Walker), Asynarchus curtus (Banks), Arthripsodes tarsi-punctatus (Vorhies), A. arielles Denning, A. annulicornis (Stephens), A. sp. 1, Oecetis avara (Banks), Q. inconspicua (Walker), Q. sp. 1, Triaenodes frontalis Banks, Nectopsyche diarina (Ross), N. intervena (Banks), H. exguisita (Walker), and Brachycentrus occidentalis Banks. Mature larvae and pupae of most families were separable to species but immature larvae were usually not separated by keys presented in this study. Hydroptilid larvae and pupae were not separable to species, hydropti1id pupae also being inseparable to genus. Pupae of Nectopsyche were not distinguishable to species and adults of Nectopsyche \vere also difficult to separate. Larvae of the bifida group of the genus Hydropsyche and female pupae of H. bifida and H. bronta were not separated to species. Life history patterns of Saskatchewan River system Trichoptera were discussed based mainly on collections of pupae and adults. Species distribution in the Saskatchewan River system was discussed, with emphasis on man's possible role in affecting species distribution and relative abundance. North American distribution patterns exhibited by species collected in this study were related to recent geological events and to patterns exhibited by some other aquatic invertebrate groups.