The Trichoptera ("caddisflies") are distributed worldwide, they constitute an important component of aquatic communities, and their larval capsules are used as environmental quality indicators. Past taxonomic work has produced a confusion of genus names and classifications, resulting from a failure to compare Old and New World representatives. Dr. John Weaver proposes a revision of the caddisfly family Lepidostomatidae (almost 300 species) from around the world. A variety of adult characters will be used, resulting in descriptions of new species, clarification of the limitations and classification of genera, and publication of identification guides. Caddisflies are an important component of stream habitats, and a worldwide revision would have impact on many areas of research. Ecologists and environmental quality researchers would have reliable criteria for identifying species, thereby improving our understanding of nutrient flow in streams. The proposed generic revision would also provide a foundation for future studies of caddisfly evolution and biogeography.
