Secondary Production of Net-Spinning Caddisflies (Trichoptera: Curvipalpia) in an Ozark Stream

Secondary production estimates were calculated for selected net- spinning caddisflies from an Ozark stream using the size-frequency method. Combined production for all species studies was estimated to be 2.64 gsq myr dry mass. Chimarra obscura and Cheumatopsyche spp. were the most abundant caddisfly species N 18sq m and 19sq m, respectively contributing 48 and 47, respectively, to total production. Chimarra aterrima, Polycentropus centralis and Wormaldia moesta contributed the remaining 5. Annual PB ratios ranged from 5 for the univoltine W. moesta to the 11.5 for the bivoltine P. centralis. A PB ratio of 17 was estimated for Cheumatopsyche spp., but this large value was attributed to grouping at least four ecologically similar but distinct species. Annual mean production for some species was similar to estimates reported in other studies, but production for all species was considerably lower than estimates from other lotic ecosystems. Author TTL