FAMILY
Hydroptilidae
TAXONOMY
Abtrichia antennata Mosely, 1939, Santa Catharina, Brazil.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
None known.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
With a forewing length of 0.16 in (4 mm), this is one of the largest species of the family (all Hydroptilidae are small in size, less than 0.24 in [6 mm]). Males have big projections on their heads, and their antennae have enlarged basal articles.
DISTRIBUTION
Southern Brazil, western Uruguay, and eastern Argentina.
HABITAT
Streams and rivers with stone beds.
BEHAVIOR
Mature larvae build oval convex cases and attach them to rocks; the cases have one opening on each end.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Larvae feed on algae growing on rocks.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Nothing is known.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
