The Unusual Pupal Mandibles in the Caddisfly Family Phryganeidae (Trichoptera)

Abstract

In most entomological textbooks and other general summaries the pupae of the order Trichoptera are characterized as having strong mandibles which are used to make a hole through the pupal enclosure, thereby permitting the escape of the pharate adult. For the vast majority of caddisfly genera for which pupae are known this description is probably accurate enough, but it is somewhat less than accurate to describe the pupae of all caddisflies in this way.