Marilia

Mueller, 1880

Species Guides

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Marilia is a of caddisflies in the Odontoceridae, order Trichoptera. Caddisflies in this family are aquatic insects whose larvae construct protective cases from sand grains and small particles. The genus was established by Mueller in 1880 and is distributed primarily in the Neotropical region, with records from Colombia and other parts of South America.

Marilia flexuosa by (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Marilia: //məˈrɪliə//

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Identification

Members of Marilia can be distinguished from other odontocerid by features of genitalia structure, including characteristics of the male claspers and female abdominal segments. Larval cases are typically cylindrical and constructed from coarse sand grains arranged in spiral or linear patterns.

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Habitat

Aquatic environments including streams and rivers, particularly in mountainous regions of the Neotropics. Larvae inhabit flowing water where they attach their cases to submerged substrates.

Distribution

Neotropical region, with documented records from Colombia (departments of Meta, Boyacá, Antioquia, Chocó, Huila, and Tolima).

Ecological Role

Larvae function as and gatherers in stream , processing organic matter and contributing to nutrient cycling. Their cases provide for other small aquatic organisms.

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