Rakiura vernale

Rakiura is a genus of Trichoptera (caddisfly). The genus contains only one species, Rakiura vernale, which is endemic to New Zealand. Rakiura vernale represents the most basal taxon within the Helicopsychidae.

Rakiura vernale
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Trichoptera
Family:	Helicopsychidae
Genus:	Rakiura McFarlane, 1973
Species:	R. vernale
Binomial name
Rakiura vernale McFarlane, 1973

Identification

Larvae have a case that is dextrally coiled, with the coils incompletely fused. The head, in dorsal view, is rounded with marginal carina and covered by loosely distribute setae. The posterior part of frontoclypeal is slender. In lateral view, the head is dorsally straight with eyes erected dorsad. Larvae have a strongly sclerotized pronotum with anterior-pointing megasetae. The mesonotum and metanotum are weakly sclerotized. No abdominal gills are present. An anal claw is present with a single row of comb-shaped accessory hooks.

Adults have 2-jointed maxillary palps, a basal joint with strong median setae, and a distal joint about 2,5 times longer than basal joint. Antennae are about as long as the fore wing. Adults have large, oval cephalic warts with an irregular median margin. Small postantennal warts are also present. Pronotum has a pair of oblong central warts. Mesonotum has setal warts divided into row of setal bases; setal warts are absent on metanotum. No postcutellar line present. Dimorphic fore wings with modifications are present only on males.

References

• Johanson, K. A. (1998). Phylogenetic and biogeographic analysis of the family Helicopsychidae (Insecta: Trichoptera). Entomologica scandinavica Supplement No.53. ISSN 0105-3574.
• Johanson, K. A. (2002). Systematic revision of American Helicopsyche of the subgenus Feropsyche (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae). Insect Systematics & Evolution (earlier: Entomologica scandinavica Supplement) No.60. ISSN 0105-3574.
• Johanson, K. A. (2003). Revision of the Neotropical caddisfly subgenus Helicopsyche (Cochilopsyche) (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae), with descriptions of twelve new species. Insect Systematics & Evolution 34: 381–414. ISSN 1399-560X.
• Johanson, K. A. (2001). Phylogenetic and biogeographical analysis of the New Zealand Helicopsyche von Siebold (Trichoptera: Helicopsychidae). Insect Systematics & Evolution 32: 107–120. ISSN 0013-8711.