Larvae and pupae of Australian Hydroptilidae (Trichoptera), with observations on general biology and relationships

Why is the stream fauna of south-western Australia so impoverished?

“…Considerable taxo- nomic effort has been expended in the studies of south-western stream communities and we do not believe that the low species richness is a reflection of a poorly-known fauna . Several insect groups, for example Odonata (Watson, 1962 ;, Chironomidae (Edward, 1964 ;unpublished data), Trichoptera (Neboiss, 1982 ;Wells, 1985), Plecoptera (Hynes & Bunn, 1984) and some Ephemeroptera (Dean, 1987), are wellknown in south-western Australia . The overall low richness observed in south-western streams is not only the result of an overall reduction in the number of species but also the absence of entire families .…”

The Micro-caddisflies of Lord Howe Island (Hydroptilidae: Trichoptera: Insecta)

“…The eight other previously described Orphninotrichia species all appear to be rather restricted in distribution, having been collected from only one or a few waterfalls, riffles or cascades (Wells, 1980(Wells, , 1982(Wells, , 1985b(Wells, , 1990b. The particularly uniform cases built by the mainland and Tasmanian larvae are slender silk envelopes constructed by addition of increments symmetrically on both sides of what becomes a slightly constricted median band (see Wells, 1985a). Occasionally sparse sand is incorporated in the case, or a few diatoms.…”

A new species of death adder (Acanthophis: Serpentes: Elapidae) from north-western Australia

“…Since the only existing name applicable to this taxon, Acanthophis lancasteri Wells & Wellington, 1985, is a nomen nudum (Aplin & Donnellan 1999), we describe it as a new species below, diagnosing it from its congeners and all other currently recognized Australian Acanthophis species.…”