Trichoptera ("caddisflies") represent a significant component of many stream and terrestrial habitats. Their egg cases are important factors in the flow of nutrients through stream ecosystems, and they are used as environmental quality indicators. Dr. Ralph Holzenthal proposes to complete a Manual of the Trichoptera of Costa Rica. This effort would entail further field collecting at sites that represent the major habitat types (moist- and dry-forests on both the Caribbean and Pacific sides, plus montane sites), description of scores of new species, preparation of species' lists, identification keys, and an illustrated manual (published in Spanish with English text made available separately). The Manual Project will also allow two employees of the Costa Rican National Biodiversity Institute to acquire advanced training in Trichoptera taxonomy and ecology, and will produce a comprehensive systematic reference collection for future in-country research. The proposed caddisfly inventory of Costa Rica will have broad implications beyond insect systematics. At an organizational level, the project sets a new standard for international collaboration, training of in-country practitioners, and construction of systematic reference collections. At the level of applied research, the manual will be invaluable for ecological studies and environmental quality assessment. At the level of pure research, the project will advance our understanding of a diverse tropical insect group, and will lay the foundation for future studies of evolution and biogeography in the tropics.
