Smicridea signata

(Banks, 1903)

netspinning caddisfly

Smicridea signata is a of netspinning caddisfly in the Hydropsychidae. The species is found in North America and belongs to the Smicridea (Smicridea) fasciatella species group, which is characterized by a phallic apparatus that is a simple tube with eversible internal at the apex. The fasciatella group has a broad distribution from the southwestern USA through Central America, the Greater Antilles, and most of South America.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Smicridea signata: /smɪˈkɹiːdiə sɪɡˈnɑːtə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

As a member of the Smicridea (Smicridea) fasciatella group, S. signata possesses the diagnostic phallic apparatus structure: a simple tube with eversible internal at the apex. Specific external morphological features distinguishing S. signata from other members of this species group are not documented in available sources. of the Smicridea are small to medium-sized with net-spinning larval stages.

Distribution

North America. The has been recorded in Brazil in the states of Acre, Amapá, and Sergipe, with previous records mainly from the Atlantic Forest biome in the southeastern region.

Similar Taxa

  • Smicridea fasciatellaBoth belong to the same species group and share the diagnostic phallic apparatus structure. S. fasciatella is the primary species responsible for nuisance swarming events along the Colorado River in Arizona, though S. signata has not been specifically implicated in such events.
  • Other Smicridea (Smicridea) fasciatella group speciesThe fasciatella group comprises 61 with similar genitalic ; accurate identification to species level requires examination of male genitalia and other subtle morphological characters.

Tags

Sources and further reading