Associating life stages and sexes of Nearctic Curtis, 1835 (Trichoptera: Polycentropodidae) using mitochondrial DNA barcoding.

Alpha taxonomy of caddisflies (order Trichoptera) is based primarily on male genital morphology. As such, associations of adult females and other life stages typically require conclusive association with the species' identifiable male. The aim of this study was to use molecular methods to associate females and larvae of species represented in the Nearctic. Analysis of mtCOI sequences using distance- and tree-based methods resulted in the association of larvae for 14 species of ( Hamilton, Harris & Lago, 1990, Ross & Yamamoto 1965, Morse 1971, Banks 1905, Ross 1941, Hagen 1861, Smith 1962, Ross 1944, Denning 1950, Milne 1936, Banks 1908, Ross 1941, Yamamoto 1966, and Banks 1900) and females for 2 species ( and Ross & Yamamoto 1965). Searches for, and descriptions of, diagnostic morphological characters for these previously unidentifiable life forms are now possible. The identity of the larva of Banks, 1914 is confirmed and some interesting phylogenetic relationships and a possible cryptic species and potential synonyms are implied in the results. Targets for future immature- and female-male associations are discussed along with a preliminary assessment of morphological differences among larvae.