Hydroptila potosina

Natural history and identification

Hydroptila potosina is an introduced microcaddisfly formerly reported in Hawaiʻi as H. arctia. Its aquatic larvae build purse-like silk cases incorporating fine sand grains. This feature helps separate their cases from those of H. icona, which lack the sand covering. Reliable identification must distinguish these two introduced species; a generic caddisfly record does not establish which one is present. Examined vouchers include two males and two females from Keālia Stream on 15 March 1979.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. Hawaiian stream work reports that material formerly called Hydroptila arctia was misidentified and revised to H. potosina; Kauaʻi stream records include the lineage.

Evidence limits

The cited observations describe the evidence currently available for this account. They do not establish a complete life history or a measured current Kauaʻi population trend.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Hydroptila potosina

Other names

Hydroptila arctia (Hawaiʻi stream material)

Family

Hydroptilidae

Order

Trichoptera

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Hydroptila potosina is an introduced microcaddisfly formerly reported in Hawaiʻi as H. arctia.

Sources and further reading

• Hawaiian aquatic-insect revision / Kauaʻi stream records
• Natural history and identification — species source
• Natural history and identification — species source