Larval description of two Iberian endemic species of the Rhyacophila genus: R. melpomene Malicky, 1976 and R. laufferi Navás, 1918 (Trichoptera, Rhyacophilidae)

Abstract

The last instar larvae of two Iberian endemic species of the “Pararhyacophila group” (Rhyacophila melpomene Malicky, 1976, and Rhyacophila laufferi Navás, 1918) are described for the first time. The most important diagnostic features are illustrated and the affinities with those known other Iberian species of the same group are discussed. Larvae of R. melpomene are very much alike to those of R. pulchra Schmid, 1952, but there are some differences between them, mainly in some pronotum characteristics. Larvae of R. laufferi are very similar to those of R. rupta McLachlan, 1879, but the shape and colour pattern of the head capsule allow a sure differentiation. Finally, some notes about species biology and distribution are included.