The morphology of Dajella tenera (Trichoptera, Glossosomatidae): Taxonomic status and evidence for the pheromone communication in the Mesozoic

A reexamination of the fossil Mesozoic caddisfly Dajella tenera Sukatsheva, 1990, formerly in Philopotamidae, has revealed new characters showing this species to be a representative of the family Glossosomatidae. It is a single species of the new subfamily Dajellinae subfam. nov. The morphology of the head, thorax, and abdomen including the maxillary palp with well developed apical spine (apical sensory complex), the integumental structures associated with sternal glands, and the male genitalia are described. The complicated cuticular structures associated with the sternal glands on abdominal sternite V suggest active secretion of the pheromone volatiles. Short projection on sternite VI in this species might be used in the vibratory signaling which is known to occur in the behavior of the extant Glossosomatidae.