LIFE CYCLE AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF CADDISFLIES (INSECTA: TRICHOPTERA) IN THE NAVASOTA RIVER, TEXAS.

Abstract

There is a lack of research focused upon the structure and function of low elevation, turbid lotic ecosystems such as the Navasota River, located in south-central Texas. The understanding of these ecosystems can be important to management of freshwater resources. Aquatic invertebrate communities and their ecological functions to the Navasota River and similar ecosystems are poorly studied. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the life cycle and community structure of caddisflies (Insecta: Trichoptera) in the Navasota River, near where it joins the Brazos River. Four replicate samples were collected approximately once every month from a riffle. One species of the genus Cheumatopsyche is the dominant caddisfly in the river accounting for over 90% of all caddisflies collected. Based upon larval collections, emergency of adults appears to occur during the months of January and February. Data collection was hampered by extremely high water conditions during part of the year, resulting in gaps in the data.