Brachycentrus (Sphinctogaster) numerosus (Say 1823)

Brachycentrus (Sphinctogaster) numerosus (Say)

Phryganea numerosa Say, 1823:160.

Brachycentrus numerosus (Say).—Hagen, 1868:272.—Ross, 1944:264.—Fischer, 1970:109.

B. numerosus (Say), B. etowahensis Wallace, and B. solomoni new species, form a very closely related group of species, separable with difficulty in the adult stage. In the male genitalia, B. numerosus may be recognized by the divergent apices of the tenth tergites, the only slightly enlarged apex of the clasper and lack of a subapical lobe on the inner margin of the clasper when seen in ventral aspect.

The larvae of B. numerosus are similar to B. etowahensis Wallace in the coloration of the legs, but quite different from B. solomoni, new species, in this character. However, B. etowahensis is easily distinguished as it possesses 5–7 major setae, rather than 3, on the mid- and hindfemora. The coloration of the heads of all three also differ slightly, with B. numerosus being the species with the most extensive pale markings. In fact the species is quite variable in appearance with many specimens virtually lacking all dark banding on the posterior half of the genae.

ADULT.—Length of forewing, 8–10 mm, 11–12.5 mm. Color fuscous, tibiae and tarsi paler; forewing fuscous marked with paler spots and bands. Seventh sternum of male abdomen with a posteroventral, nail-like lobe, often small and trianguloid.

Male Genitalia: Ninth segment lacking a sternal lobe. Cercus elongate, slightly tapered; cerci in dorsal aspect completely divided and separated mesally, elongate ovoid. Tenth tergum elongate, enlarged apicad in lateral aspect; in dorsal aspect deeply divided apicomesally, lobes divergent, each as long as wide with 1 macrochaeta (rarely with a second small one on one or both sides). Clasper with a large basal area, apex only slightly enlarged, with tip pointed in lateral aspect; in ventral aspect with tip developed into a mesally-directed sharp point, inner margin without any subapical lobe.

LARVA.—Length to 12 mm. Sclerites dark brown to fuscous, marked with yellow longitudinal bands; frontoclypeus yellow laterally, especially anteriad to midlength constriction, with a cluster of yellow muscle scars posteromesally; gena dark next to frontoclypeus, in a band posteriad from eye (dark bands often obsolete posteriad, in which case occipital region of head is broadly yellow) and again ventrolaterally and ventrally, yellow between bands; legs yellow, with ventral margins of mid–and hindfemora, tibiae and tarsi and dorsal margin of femora, fuscous. Femora of mid- and hindlegs with 3 enlarged setae; apico- and basodorsal setae enlarged over other dorsal setae; ventral fringe uniform. Tibiae of mid- and hindlegs with a basomesal row of 4–5 setae. Two pairs of submesal setae on venter of first abdominal segment of equal size, slightly larger than homologous setae of second segment. Lateral fringe present from third through sixth segments, with small tufts of hair posteriad on seven. Gills single, in dorsal, lateral and ventral rows.

TYPE MATERIAL.—Neotype, male, INHS: published as “Momence, Illinois: May 4, 1937, Ross and Mohr.” Type not seen; topotypes with same data studied.

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—USA, ALABAMA, Bibb Co., Schultz Creek near Centerville, 12 Mar 1983, S.C. Harris, 1 pupa with larval sclerites (SCHC).

CONNECTICUT, Mill River, Hamden, 4 Oct 1961, S. Hitchcock, 8 larvae. Mill River, Sleeping Giant State Park, Mt. Carmel, 1 Oct 1943, K.M. and A.H. Sommerman, 1 larva (INHS); same, but 2 Jul 1976, M.J. Chapin, 30 larvae (CUC). New Haven Co., Hammonasset River, Killingworth, 16 Apr 1978, W.C. Downs, 3 pupae (ROM). New Haven Co., Sleeping Giant State Park, 7 Oct 1967, Yamamoto and Odum, 12 larvae (ROM).

DELAWARE, Kent Co., Pratts Branch, NW Frederica, 25 Feb 1973, N.L. Mavrowitz, 11 larvae (UDN). Kent Co., Sewell Branch, Blackiston, 5 Oct 1971, R.W. Lake, 30 Larvae (UDN). Sussex Co., Famy Branch, near Millsboro, off Rt. 113, 23 Apr 1979, R.W. Lake, 2 (UDN); same, but 2 Apr 1975, 1, 2 (UDN); same, but 5 Apr 1972, 1 larva, 20 pupae (UDN); same, but 5 Apr 1979, 1, 16 (large swarm, mostly with eggs) (UDN). Sussex Co., Woodenhawk, tributary of Marsh Hope Creek, 29 Aug 1972, Lake and Harkins, 8 larvae (UDN). Sussex Co., Long Branch, Bridgeville, 26 Aug 1971, Lake and Harkins, 50 larvae (UDN). Sussex Co., James Branch, Smith Hill, 3 Sep 1972, R.W. Lake, 1 larva (UDN).

ILLINOIS, Momence, 4 May 1937, Ross and Mohr, 35, 61 (including 2 mating pairs) (INHS); same, but 14 Jul 1936, B.D. Burks, 15 larvae (INHS); same, but 21 Aug 1936, Ross and Burks, 3 larvae (INHS); same, but Kankakee River, 7 May 1940, B.D. Burks, 4, 3 metamorphotypes, 2 pupae (INHS); same, but 15 Aug 1939, Ross and Burks, 6 larvae (INHS); same, but 27 Oct 1938, Mohr and Burks, 25 larvae (INHS); same, but 3 Nov 1938, Mohr and Burks, 50 larvae (INHS); same, but 21 Dec 1938, Mohr and Burks, 6 larvae (INHS).

INDIANA, Pulaski Co., Tippecanoe River State Park, 8 May 1944, 1 (UGA).

KANSAS, Kingman Co., E bridge over Chickaskia River on Hwy. 42, 1.5 mi. W Spivey, 13 Jul 1976, S.W. Hamilton, 1 larva (CUC).

LOUISIANA, Magnolia, 18 Feb 1933, J.H. Roberts, 7, 1 (LSU). St. Tammany Parish, Tchefuncte River, La. Hwy. 40, 22 Jul 1978, Holzenthal and Levy, 12 larvae (CUC).

MAINE, Hancock Co., Narraguagus River, Bracy's Pond area, 12 May 1973, T. Mingo, 2, 2. Hancock Co., South Hump, 8 Jun 1974, T. Mingo, 1, 3. Hancock Co., Starvation Branch, Union River, Rt. 9, 5 May 1978, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Hancock Co., Narraguagus River, Humpback Brook, 1 Mar 1974, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Oxford Co., Ellis River, Rt. 5, South Andover, 20 Sep 1978, T.M. Mingo, larvae (UMO). Penobscot Co., Pushaw Stream, Rt. 43, Hudson, 10 Jul 1979, T. Mingo, larvae (UMO); same, but 23 Sept 1979, larvae (UMO, USNM). Washington Co., Narraguagus River, 1 mile S Rt. 9 bridge, 26 May 1978, T. Mingo, 17 (UMO, USNM).

MARYLAND, Patuxent River near Annapolis, 15 Apr 1938, B.D. Burks, 2 (INHS). Caroline Co., Choptank River, Greensboro, 8 Apr 1980, W.L. Butler, 3 larvae (MWQMD). Harford Co., Deer Creek, Rt. 1, 29 Jul 1975, W.L. Butler, 6 larvae (MWQMD). Worcester Co., Nassawango Creek, Rt. 12, 23 May 1981, W.L. Butler, 2 larvae (MWQMD).

MASSACHUSETTS, Amherst, 3 Sep 1953, O.S. Flint, Jr., 1 larva; same, but stream behind Univ. Mass., 9 Sep 1953, R.A. Allaire, 2 larvae; same, but Fort River, at Pelham Road, 1 May 1957, D. Dame, 1 pupa. Brookside Dam, 1 May 1938, J.F. Hanson, 8, 3 (UMA). Stream (?Bachelors Brook), near South Hadley, 8 Apr 1941, 3 larvae, 6 prepupae (UMA). Wellesley, 29 Apr 1899, A.P. Morse, 4 1 (MCZ). Franklin Co., Millers River, W Erving, 7 Sep 1980, D. Maddison, 2 larvae (ROM).

MICHIGAN, Middle Branch Ontonagon River, 25–26 May 1963, Genetti, 2, 1. Sanborn Creek, Nirvana, 28 May 1939, Frison and Ross, 4 (INHS). Antrim Co., Manistee River, Rt. 618, 25 Oct 1966, N. Andresen, 1 larva (ROM). Kalamazoo Co., Augusta Creek in Kellogg Forest, 12 Aug 1969, G.B. Wiggins, 19 larvae (ROM). Washtenaw Co., Portage River, Cedar Lake Road, 4 Feb 1976, C. Keil, 3 larvae (VPI).

MINNESOTA, St. Francis River above Rice Lake, 5 mi. NW Zimmerman, 2 May 1964, emerged 4 May, D. Etnier, 4, 1 with exuvia and cases (UMSP, UTK). Anoka Co., Coon Creek, 22–27 Oct 1933, W. Elkins, 7 larvae (UMSP); same, but 1 May 1935, D. Denning, 5 larvae (UMSP); same, but 25 Apr 1936, C.E. Mickel, 6 prepupae (UMSP). Clearwater Co., Mississippi River, Co. Hwy. 2, 5 mi. N Lake Itasca P.O., 17 Aug 1972, G.B. Wiggins, 2 larvae (ROM). Hubbard Co., Mississippi River, 17 Aug 1977, G. Daussin, 11 larvae (UMSP). Hubbard Co., Birch Creek, 16 Aug 1935, D. Denning, 5 larvae (UMSP). Hubbard Co., Birch Creek, Rd. 4, N Lake George, 15 Aug 1974, G.B. Wiggins, 1 larva (ROM). Hubbard Co., Straight River, Rt. 71, S Park Rapids, 17 Aug 1970, G. B. Wiggins, 12 larvae (ROM); same, but 21 Aug 1972, 15 larvae (ROM).

MISSOURI, Williamsville, 26 Aug 1951, Becker et al., 50 larvae (INHS).

NEW HAMPSHIRE, Oyster River, Lee, 10 May 1946, W. Jahoda, 2 (INHS).

NEW JERSEY, Cumberland Co., stream, N Mill Road, 0.6 mi. N Garden Road, Vineland, 20 Apr 1980, R.W. Bouchard, 70, 40 (UTK).

NORTH CAROLINA, Morganton, 1877, Morrison, 11 1 (MCZ).

PENNSYLVANIA, Lancaster Co., Octararo Creek, ½ mi. below Mt. Vernon Bridge, 7 Sep 1943, H.K. Groff, 4 larvae; same, but E Branch Octararo Creek, 17 Sep 1943, 7 larvae (INHS). Penna, summer 1976, E. Kupsky, 1 larva (CUC).

SOUTH CAROLINA, Aiken Co., Upper Three Runs Creek, Savannah River Plant, 11 Mar 1977, Hurlong and Prichard, 10 (CUC); same but 8 Aug 1977, 9 larvae (CUC); same, but 7 Aug 1979, Kelley and McEwan, 1 larva (CUC); same, but 1 Sep 1979, 1 larva (CUC); same, but 27 Oct 1979, 1 larva (CUC); same, but 8 Dec 1979, 1 larva (CUC); same, but 7 Jan 1980, 6 larvae (CUC); same, but 24 Jan 1980, 2 larvae (CUC); same, but 29 Jan 1977, 1 larva (CUC); same, but 12 Feb 1977, 1 (CUC); same, but 7 Oct 1975, Giheath and Sanders, 17 larvae (CUC); same, but Tinker Creek, 6 Nov 1976, 4 larvae (CUC); same, but 11 Mar 1977, 1 pupa (CUC). Aiken Co., Hollow Creek, U.S. 278, 4 Sep 1976, Herlong and Morse, 25 larvae (CUC). Barnwell Co., Lower Three Runs Creek, Savannah River Plant, 27 Nov 1979, Kelley and McEwan, 1 larva (CUC). Savannah River Plant, 4 May 1973, Fisher, 1 abdomen (UTK).

TENNESSEE, Loudon Co., Coytee Spring, Little Tennessee River, 23 Apr 1975, Etnier et al., 19, 11 (UTK). Meigs Co., Big Sewee Creek, Tn. 58, 15 Sep 1982, D.A. Etnier, 6 larvae (UTK). Polk Co., Ocoee River, Copper Hill, 11 Mar 1973, W. Pennington, 1 larva (UTK). Polk Co., Hiwassee River below Patty Bridge, 5 Apr 1982, D.A. Etnier, 3 (UTK).

VIRGINIA, Rappahannock River, Remington, 21 Mar 1940, Frison et al., 1 prepupa (INHS). Culpepper Co., Rapidan River, 0.5 mi. S Rt. 743, 15 Jul 1980, Kondratieff and Voshell, 1 larva (VPI). Grayson Co., New River, 6 Jun 1973, J. Wright, 3 larvae (VPI). Grayson Co., New River near Fox, 24 Sep 1981, O.S. Flint, Jr., 50 larvae. Hanover Co., North Anna River, Rt. 602, 6 Mar 1971, W.V. Morgan, 6 prepupae (VPI); same, but Rt. 208, 18 Apr 1978, G.M. Simmons, Jr., 2 (VPI). Louisa Co., South Anna River, Rt. 522, 21 Jun 1977, J.R. Voshell, 3 larvae (VPI); same, but 19 Jul 1977, 1 larva (VPI); same, but 19 Aug 1977, 9 larvae (VPI); same, but 22 Oct 1977, 2 larvae (VPI); same, but Rt. 657, 20 Jul 1977, 9 larvae (VPI). Montgomery Co., Little River, Rt. 787, 4 Apr 1980, B.C. Kondratieff, 1, 4 (VPI).

WISCONSIN, Namakegon River, Spooner, 29 Apr 1939, Frison and Burks, 20 larvae (INHS). Adams Co., Dry Creek, 4 May 1970, 1 (UWM). Adams Co., Little Roche Creek, 31 Oct 1979, 12 larvae (UWM). Burnett Co., Wood River, 13 May 1970, 30 (UWM). Chippewa Co., Oneil Creek, 22 Apr 1980, 2 larvae (UWM). Crawford Co., Baker Creek, Hwy. 61, 29 Apr 1970, 2 (UWM). Dunn Co., Hay River, 24 Oct 1979, 6 larvae (UWM). Forest Co., Popple River, 6 Nov 1979, 5 larvae (UWM). Langlade Co., Prairie River, 18 Oct 1979, 3 larvae (UWM). Marathon Co., Little Rib River, 13 Oct 1980, 10 larvae (UWM). Marinelle Co., South Branch Pemebonwon River, 15 Oct 1980, 3 larvae (UWM). Marquette Co., Klawster Creek, Hwy. B, 5 May 1970, 13, 4 (UWM). Monroe Co., Silver Creek, 6 Nov 1979, 5 larvae (UWM). Oconto Co., North Branch Oconto River, 2 Nov 1979, 1 larva (UWM). Oneida Co., Little Somo River, 9 Nov 1972, 3 larvae (UWM). Polk Co., Teade River, 22 Oct 1980, 41 larvae (UWM). Richland Co., Wisconsin River, Hwy. 60, 29 Apr 1970, 2 (UWM). Sauk Co., Honey Creek, 29 Mar 1971, L.J. Bayer, 2, 1 (UWM). Trempealeau Co., South Fork Beaver Creek, 30 Oct 1979, 15 larvae (UWM). Vernon Co., West Fork Kickapoo River, 29 Oct 1980, 1 larva (UWM). Vilas Co., Wisconsin River, 9 Nov 1972, 20 larvae (UWM). Walworth Co., Bluff Creek, 18 Aug 1972, 1 larva (UWM); same, but 27 Apr 1970, 9, 42 (UWM). Washburn Co., Namekagon River, 26 Oct 1980, 12 larvae (UWM). Waupaca Co., South Branch Little Wolfe River, 31 Oct 1980, 7 larvae (UWM).

CANADA, MANITOBA, Saskatchewan River, The Pas, 7 Jun 1953, W. Krivda, 10, 13 (ROM).

ONTARIO, creek near Sault Ste. Marie, 4 Jun 1956, W.E. Ricker, 1 (INHS).

Brachycentrus numerosus is a species of humpless casemaker caddisfly in the family Brachycentridae. It is found in North America.