A description of the hitherto unknown larvae of Drusus radovanovici septentrionis Marinković-Gospodnetić, 1976 and Drusus croaticus Marinković-Gospodnetić, 1971 is given. The most important diagnostic features enabling separation from larvae of the other Drusinae are listed and illustrated. Larvae of D. croaticus are distinguished by the combination of specific morphological features (e.g. shape of head and pronotum, the absence of mandible teeth, the absence of prominent, black median setae on frontal margin of pronotum etc.). Besides the above mentioned, larvae of D. radovanovici septentrionis are primarily distinguished by distinct spinules on the head capsule. Some ecological notes are given and the life cycle of both species is discussed. Regarding the feeding behaviour, both analyzed species seem to be predominantly grazers. Both species were recorded in different spring types in the Dinarides. D. radovanovici septentrionis is known only from three springs in Bosnia and Herzegovina (springs of the Rivers Pliva, Bistrica and Sturba), while D. croaticus was recorded in 19 different springs in Croatia. Additionally, all Trichopteran species recorded from the sampled springs are listed.

Species of the genus Drusus usually inhabit cold springs and spring areas of mountain streams. Isolation of populations and a patchy distribution are reasons for high diversity and endemism in this genus. Nine taxa from the bosnicus group (genus Drusus) live in the Balkan Peninsula (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia). This study has two main objectives. First, morphological, ecological, and genetic features (mitochondrial COI and 16S genes) of the final larval instar of Drusus radovanovici radovanovici from Bosnia and Herzegovina are analysed. Association of larvae and adults of D. radovanovici radovanovici is carried out according to genetic data (mitochondrial DNA) of adults and larvae, and supported by their distribution in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Second, phylogeny, taxonomy and distribution of taxa of the bosnicus group in the Balkan Peninsula are discussed. The analysis includes morphological and genetic data for the known larvae of the genus Drusus distributed in the Balkans. As a consequence, both subspecies of Drusus radovanovici are ranked as species (D. radovanovici and D. septentrionis stat. n.), and the status of other taxa from the bosnicus group is discussed. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

In this study we present morphological features of the last instar larvae of Drusus ramae Marinković-Gospodnetić, 1971, and Drusus medianus Marinković-Gospodnetić, 1976, both of which are endemic species from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI), larvae of these species were successfully associated with adult specimens. We present the most important diagnostic features enabling separation from larvae of the other Drusus species and an identification key for the known larvae of Drusus species in the Balkan Peninsula. Notes on the distribution and ecology of both species are given. Additionally, faunistics and possible conservation implications for studied springs are discussed.

The caddisfly community composition and structure were studied in the Mediterranean (i.e., central part of Herzegovina) and the temperate (i.e., Central Bosnia) regions of the country which differ considerably regarding the climate, hydrology, geomorphology, and vegetation. In both studied areas, four rivers with seven sampling sites each were selected for light‐trapping of adult caddisflies during a one‐year period. A total of 97 species were collected (i.e., 52 in Herzegovina during 2003 and 67 in Central Bosnia during 2004) and seven of them are first records for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Marked differences in caddisfly community composition and structure between the two regions were found and confirmed by a cluster analysis of comparable river sites. These differences could be primarily linked to observed variability in environmental factors. Also, distinct phenological patterns of caddisflies were found in the Mediterranean and temperate parts, respectively, and these were further analyzed in detail for the five most abundant common species. For the populations in Central Bosnia, generally later and shorter periods of flight were recorded. Therefore, we tested the influence of meteorological parameters (night air temperature during the light‐trapping, and monthly values of air temperature, precipitation, humidity, cloudiness, and wind speed) on flight activity and periodicity of caddisflies in both regions. Air temperature proved to be the most important of tested parameters influencing caddisfly flight patterns (rs > 0.87 for monthly values and rs > 0.44 for air temperatures during light‐trapping; p < 0.001). Thus, temperature during light‐trapping and minimum monthly values seem to be important for the flight of caddisflies, since these values were significantly different (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) in the two regions of the country. Additionally, in this paper we will discuss some implications for conservation of caddisflies due to the predicted climate change.

In this study we present morphological, molecular and ecological features of the last instar larvae of Drusus bosnicus with data about distribution of this species in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We also included  the most important diagnostic features enabling separation of larvae of D. bosnicus from larvae of the other European Drusinae and Trichoptera species.