The Nearctic caddisfly genus Hesperophylax Banks (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae)

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Abstract
Seven species of Hesperophylax are recognized: alaskensis (Banks), consimilis (Banks), designatus (Walker), magnus Banks, minutus Ling, occidentalis (Banks), and mexico n.sp. Hesperophylax alaskensis is reestablished as a valid species distinct from occidentalis. Hesperophylax incisus Banks is placed as a junior subjective synonym of designatus. Hesperophylax oreades Saether is placed as a junior subjective synonym of Psychoronia costalis (Banks). Keys are provided for identification of males, females, and larvae. A hypothesis of phylogeny is proposed in which consimilis is the sister group of all other Hesperophylax; magnus and mexico are sister species and together are the closest relatives of occidentalis, designatus, and alaskensis; designatus and alaskensis are sister species. An interpretation of biogeography is offered, suggesting how geological events affected the origin and distribution of Hesperophylax species. Data on food, life cycle, habitat, and distribution are given. All species appear to be univoltine with extended flight periods. Larvae are opportunistic omnivores, but magnus is more predaceous than the other species. Differences in mandibular morphology between consimilis and the other species are not reflected in the food habits of the larvae. Among Trichoptera the species of Hesperophylax are little differentiated morphologically and most species vary within unusually broad limits; most species occur in a wider range of habitat types than do other Trichoptera. Perhaps those factors represent a genetic plasticity selected for generalized adaptability rather than the habitat specialization of other Trichoptera.

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