Desmona bethula
Denning, 1954
amphibious caddisfly
Desmona bethula, commonly known as the amphibious , is a of in the Limnephilidae. It is notable for its unusual terrestrial feeding , in which fifth- leave streams at night to feed on semiaquatic plants before returning to the water. This species is with autumn and has been proposed as a potential evolutionary link between aquatic and secondarily terrestrial caddisfly lineages.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Desmona bethula: /dɛsˈmoʊnə bəˈθuːlə/
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Habitat
inhabit slow, unshaded stretches of small spring streams. During the fifth , individuals temporarily occupy terrestrial adjacent to streams for feeding.
Distribution
North America; specifically documented from the Sierra Nevada, California, U.S.A., with broader Nearctic distribution indicated.
Seasonality
with autumn . Terrestrial feeding occurs during early summer nights.
Diet
Fifth- have been observed feeding on several of semiaquatic plants during terrestrial foraging excursions.
Life Cycle
. Larval development includes an aquatic phase and a terrestrial feeding during the fifth . and occur in autumn.
Behavior
terrestrial feeding : exit streams on early summer nights, remain on land to feed, and return to water when air temperatures approach freezing. On warm, still nights, individuals may stay out until dawn. Migration timing is influenced by light intensity, vapor pressure deficit, and temperature. Mark-recapture studies indicate 14–16% of the migrates on peak nights.
More Details
Evolutionary significance
This has been proposed as a potential evolutionary link between secondarily terrestrial Limnephilidae and the majority of aquatic larvae, based on its intermediate behavioral .
Population density
estimates from study sites reached 1220–1662 individuals per square meter.