Hydropsyche incognita Pitsch 1993a

Khettar, Sihem, Haouchine-Bouzidi, Nawel, Kherbouche-Abrous, Ourida, Radi, Nora, Elalami, Majida & Beladjal, Lynda, 2022, Taxonomy and Distribution of Trichoptera in El Harrach Wadi (Northcentral Algeria) with the First Record of Hydropsyche incognita in North Africa, Zootaxa 5120 (4), pp. 482-500 : 489

Hydropsyche incognita Pitsch 1993a

Hydropsyche incognita was first described from Germany ( Pitsch 1993a). It is a known species with a large distribution in many European countries ( Serafin & Cios 2005) but a new species for Algeria and for the Maghreb. It was recorded at two sites of the El Harrach Wadi. The larva of this species has been described and diagnosed by Fischer & Neu (2002), Múrria et al. (2010), Neu & Tobias (2004), Statzner & Mondy (2009), Vieira-Lanero (2000), Waringer & Graf (2011), and Zamora et al. (2017).

Characteristic features of the larva of H. incognita are dark brown body color, a straight anterior edge of the frontoclypeal apotome, and a light oral spot and a clear dark Y-shaped patch in the central area of the frontcypeus. Hydropsyche incognita also has a submentum with its lateral lobes elongate and its anterior margin with a small protuberance. Posteroprosternites are darkly pigmented. Abdominal segment VII has gills.

Although it is likely our larvae belong to H. incognita , we would like to see the identification confirmed by catching adults as well.

International literature records. AUSTRIA ( Waringer & Graf 1997). BULGARIA ( Kumanski 2007). CZECH and SLOVAK REPUBLICS ( Chvojka & Novàk 2001). GERMANY ( Pitsch 1993b). HUNGARY ( Andrikovics & Kiss 2000). ITALY ( Valle & Lodovici 2018; Lodovici & Valle 2020). LUXEMBOURG ( Schrankel et al. 2002). NETHERLANDS ( Wiggers et al. 2006). POLAND ( Serafin & Cios 2005). PORTUGAL ( González & Menéndez 2011; Martínez et al. 2016; Terra 1994). ROMANIA ( Dumbravă-Dodoacă et al. 2010). SPAIN ( Bonada et al. 2004; González & Menéndez 2011; Múrria et al. 2010 Valladolid et al. 2007, 2011). SWITZERLAND ( Lubini 2003).

Material studied. ALGERIA, Blida, Hammam Melouane, Seghir Wadi (S6) (36°28’52”N, 3°03’00”E), 300 m a.s.l.: 22.iii.2013, 1 larva ( CSK14 ) . Hammam Melouane, Badour Wadi (S8) (36°28’43”N, 3°04’07”E), 410 m a.s.l.: 22.ii.2013, 2 larvae ; 22.iii.2013, 1 larva ( CSK15 ) .

Distribution. Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula and central and southwestern Europe. So far in North Africa it has been found only in Algeria.

Comment. The larva belongs to the H. pellucidula Group. During the sampling period, the species was found in coarse substrate biotopes associated with moderately to rapidly flowing water ( Fig. 3 ).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Distribution of Hydropsyche fezana Navás 1935, H. incognita Pitsch 1993, H. lobata McLachlan 1884, H. maroccana Navás 1936, H. obscura Navás 1928, H. resmineda Malicky 1977, and Hydropsyche sp.