DESCRIPTION OF THE AQUATIC LARVA AND PUPA PARALICHAS TRIVITTIS (GERMAR) (COLEOPTERA: PTILODACTYLIDAE: CLADOTOMINAE) FROM SPRING SEEPS IN SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, USA.

H. Fenstermacher¹ and D. Funk². ¹Department of Entomology and Applied Ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, ²Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311

The aquatic larva and pupa of Paralichas trivittis were associated by rearing. The large (up to 25mm), elateriform larva can be distinguished from all other known North American Coleoptera by the presence of a distinctive posterio-dorsal extension of the 8th abdominal segment forming a spiracular siphon and the ventral placement of segment 9 which is reduced and bears an operculum. Pupae are characterized by a distinctive pattern of gin traps on the tergites. Larvae were collected in spring seeps that were 2-5 m wide and shallow with substrates dominated by sand, fine quartzite gravel, fine particulate organic matter and coarse detritus. Other aquatic fauna inhabiting these seeps include 2 families of Plecoptera, 7 families of Trichoptera, 5 families of Coleoptera and 8 families of Diptera. Information on larval densities, diet, seasonality, mating behavior, and faunal associations is provided.