Atopsyche erigia

Members of Atopsyche can be distinguished from other Hydrobiosidae by the absence of larval cases; larvae are free-living predators. Specific identification of A. erigia requires examination of adult genitalia structures, particularly male claspers and aedeagus morphology, as described in Ross's 1947 original description.

As with other Atopsyche species, larvae inhabit cool, fast-flowing streams and rivers with rocky substrates where they occur among stones and in crevices.

Brazil (Minas Gerais, São Paulo) and Middle America. Distribution records indicate presence in the Nearctic region, though this may represent vagrant records or taxonomic misidentifications requiring verification.

Larvae are predatory, contributing to top-down control of benthic invertebrate populations in lotic ecosystems.

• Other Atopsyche speciesRequire genitalia examination for definitive separation; A. erigia is distinguished by specific configurations of male genital structures described by Ross (1947).
• Other Hydrobiosidae generaAtopsyche larvae lack cases, unlike some related genera; adults differ in wing venation and genitalia structure.

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy