The Neotropical caddisfly genus Tolhuaca (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae)

Abstract

The caddisfly genus Tolhauca Schmid 1964 (Glossosomatidae: Protoptilinae) is diagnosed and discussed in the context of other protoptiline genera, and a review of its taxonomic history is provided. A new species, Tolhuaca brasiliensis, from southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated, and the type species, Tolhuaca cupulifera Schmid 1964, from Chile, is redescribed and illustrated. Additionally, females of the genus are described and illustrated for the first time. Characters of the female genitalia, wing venation, and thorax suggest that Tolhuaca is more primitive than any other protoptiline genus and probably deserves a basal placement within the subfamily. The genus shows a broadly disjunct distribution perhaps reflecting an ancient southern Gondwana pattern.