John B. Ward

Seasonality, sex ratios and arrival pattern of some New Zealand caddis (Trichoptera) to Light‐Traps

We report the results of three independent light‐trapping studies of caddis (Trichoptera) at three widely‐separated stream‐side sites in New Zealand. A total of 66 caddis species in 10 families was recorded, as follows: 33 from site K (Kawarau Gorge) in 1990–91, 28 from site T (Turitea Stream) in 1986–87 and 45 from site W (Waitakere Stream/Cascade Stream) in 1967–68. Many of the species were captured in sufficient numbers to estimate their adult flight season. The results show that some species in the families Hydrobiosidae, Hydroptili‐dae and perhaps also Philopotamidae and Chathamiidae are present as adults during every month of the year. Species captured from 7 other families appeared to have a mid‐winter break with no active adults present. For some species there is a marked change in the sex ratio through the flight season from predominantly males early in the season to predominantly females at the end. For four common species at one site, the arrival pattern at the light trap was unimodal. It was h...

Nine new species of New Zealand caddis (Trichoptera)

Abstract Nine new species of New Zealand Trichoptera are described: Costachorema peninsulae, Hydrobiosis torrentis, Psilochorema spiniharpax, Tiphobiosis cataractae, T. childella, and T. hinewai (Hydrobiosidae); Philanisus mataua (Chathamiidae); Plectrocnemia tuhuae (Polycentropodidae); and Pycnocentria patricki (Conoesucidae). The genus Pycnocentria is redefined. The genus Conuxia is declared to be a junior synonym of Pycnocentria, new synonymy, and its sole species Conuxia gunni becomes Pycnocentria gunni, new combination.

Three new species in the endemic New Zealand genus Alloecentrella (Trichoptera), and a re-evaluation of its family placement

Abstract Three new species of caddis in the endemic New Zealand genus Alloecentrella Wise, 1958 (Trichoptera: Sericostomatoidea) are named and described: A. linearis sp. n., A. cirratus sp. n., and A. incisus sp. n. We report the known distribution of each of the four species in the genus; A. magnicornis and A. incisus appear to be found only in North Island; A. linearis and A. cirratus have been recorded only from South Island. We provide characters to differentiate the larvae (extent of the head carina; the shape of the head capsule in lateral profile) and cases (position of the terminal aperture). We present the results of a phylogenetic analysis of larval, pupal and adult morphological characters which places Alloecentrella in the Helicophidae.

Twenty-one new Polyplectropus species from New Caledonia (Trichoptera: Polycentropodidae)

Abstract Twenty-one new Polycentropodidae (Trichoptera) species are described: Polyplectropus aberrus, P. dorsospinus, P. nodyg, P. yndog, P. clavus, P. nathalae, P. millei, P. christinae, P. koueus, P. viklundi, P. hovmoelleri, P. aoupiniensis, P. tenerus, P. angustus, P. curvispinus, P. caledonia, P. piroguensis, P. triangulatus, P. pernodensis, P. taoensis, and P. papei spp. novae, representing the first species records of this family from New Caledonia. A key to males of the New Caledonian Polycentropodidae is provided, and distribution maps are presented for all species.

Lepidoptera and other insects of the Rastus Burn Basin, The Remarkables, Otago

Abstract The results of a summer survey of both the nocturnal and diurnal Lepidoptera species of the Rastus Burn Basin in The Remarkables, Otago, are presented and discussed. Altogether 186 species are recorded, some of which were found only as larvae and subsequently reared. Four species were found that are probably new to science. Many rare or little known species were also found, such as Xanthorhoe frigida and Aletia sollennis. Distributions of the species beyond The Remarkables, some notable absences and the ecology/biology of some species are noted and discussed. New host plant records are recorded for some species. Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Plecoptera and Neuroptera collected in the area are also recorded. The Rastus Burn Basin is part of a proposed scenic reserve on The Remarkables to protect both biological and landscape values of the mountain range. Another large area of the Rastus Burn Basin is classified as a recreation reserve to accommodate a skifield operation there. Co...

Two new species of New Zealand caddisflies (Trichoptera: Hydrobiosidae)

Atrachorema macfarlanei (from Route Burn, Mount Aspiring National Park) and Tiphobiosis cowiei (from a tributary of Donald Creek, Hope Saddle, Nelson), 2 new species of the Hydrobiosidae, are described. Keys are included for Atrachorema males and for both sexes of the species-group that includes T. cowiei.

Four new species and a new genus of Trichoptera (Helicophidae) from New Caledonia

Abstract Three new Trichoptera (Helicophidae) species from New Caledonia: Helicopha patriciae sp. nov., Helicopha pouebo sp. nov., and Helicopha rembai sp. nov. are described into the Australian genus Helicopha Mosely, 1953. A new species Briama koghi sp. nov. from New Caledonia is described into the new monotypic genus Briama gen. nov. These descriptions represent the first records of the Helicophidae in New Caledonia; the family is now known from New Caledonia, New Zealand, southern Australia, Chile and south‐western Argentina. A key to males of the nine Helicophidae genera is presented.

The invertebrate fauna of epiphyte mats in the canopy of northern rata (Myrtaceae: Metrosideros robusta A. Cunn.) on the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand

Abstract The range of microhabitats and microclimatic conditions provided by epiphytes has been linked to the high diversity of invertebrates in many forest canopies worldwide, but comparably little is known about the invertebrate fauna in this habitat in New Zealand. This study compiled an inventory of the invertebrate fauna of epiphyte mats in the canopy of northern rata (Myrtaceae: Metrosideros robusta A. Cunn.) at two study sites on the West Coast of the South Island. A total of 242 069 invertebrate specimens was collected over one year, representing 4 phyla, 9 classes and more than 160 families, 225 genera and 446 species. At least 10 new species and 3 new genera were identified, while 5 species were recorded outside their known geographical range. Epiphyte mats provided habitat for an invertebrate fauna, highly diverse and abundant both taxonomically and functionally, dominated in terms of abundance by Acari, Collembola and Hymenoptera (largely ants), and in terms of feeding guilds by epiphyte grazers and ants. As the first inventory of this taxonomic depth and breadth compiled for New Zealand forest epiphyte habitats, this study provides important baseline data for the conservation of biodiversity in New Zealands indigenous forests.

Twelve new species in the New Zealand caddis (Trichoptera) fauna, corrected type localities and new synonyms

Abstract Twelve new species of Trichoptera from New Zealand are named and described, as follows. Hydrobiosidae: Edpercivalia oriens, Hydrobiosis centralis, Hydrobiosis neadelphus, Hydrobiosis taumata, Hydrochorema lyfordi, and Tiphobiosis quadrifurca; Conoesucidae: Pycnocentria mordax; Oeconesidae: Oeconesus angustus, Pseudoeconesus geraldinae, Pseudoeconesus haasti, Pseudoeconesus hendersoni, and Pseudoeconesus paludis. The differential characters and distributions of the valid Pseudoeconesus species are summarised. Corrected holotype localities are given for Oeconesus similis Mosely, 1953, Pseudoeconesus stramineus McLachlan, 1894, and P. squamosus Mosely, 1953. Pseudoeconesus tristirpis Wise, 1958 is declared a junior synonym of P. bistirpis Wise, 1958; and Pseudoeconesus karoriensis Mosely, 1953 a junior synonym o f P. mimus McLachlan, 1894.

Triplectidina moselyi n. sp., a previously misidentified New Zealand caddis-fly (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae)

Triplectidina moselyi n.sp., previously misidentified as Triplectidina oreolimnetes Tillyard (1924), is described, its synonymies listed, and its geographical distribution figured. Characters to distinguish the 2 species are given. Triplectidina Mosely 1936 is redefined to include the 3 known species.