Contribution to knowledge of the Trichoptera of northwestern Algeria: New species records for the Algerian fauna and taxonomic remarks for the Maghreb fauna

The caddisfly fauna of Algeria is far from complete. In this study, we present data from Trichoptera sampling in northwestern Algeria (Tafna and Ghazouana River basins) during 2014–2019, enhancing knowledge of this group in the country. We were able to identify 30 species and 17 genera in the study area. Among the listed taxa, five species (Hydroptila fortunata, Ecnomus deceptor, Tinodes waeneri, Limnephilus lunatus, Setodes argentipunctellus,) are new records for Algeria. An updated species checklist of Algerian Trichoptera includes 63 species. We also provide an update of the Maghreb checklist with comments on species distributions. The Maghrebian caddisfly checklist, which includes 44 Maghrebian endemic species, is still very poor in relation to that of neighboring Mediterranean geographical areas and countries, such as the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), France, or Italy.

New additions to the caddisfly fauna (Insecta: Trichoptera) of the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo

Adult caddisflies were collected in the Opojë Region belonging to the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo from May to October 2013. This mountainous area which is known for many endemic and rare species of plants and animals is still not enough explored in terms of caddisfly fauna.A diverse fauna consisting of 11 families and 43 species was found. Three species found during this investigation are first records for the Kosovo caddisfly fauna: Limnephilus lunatus, Micropterna lateralis and Plectrocnemia geniculata. The stenoendemic species Chaetopteroides kosovarorum is found for the second time in Kosovo. Several other rare species were recorded during this investigation. The most interesting finding is species Plectrocnemia geniculata, which is very widespread in Opojë Region and at the same time this represents one of the rarest occurrences of this species in the Balkans.This study contributes to the knowledge of the caddisfly fauna of the Sharr Mountains and adds to the list of known caddisfly species from Kosovo.