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DNA barcoding was intended as a means to provide species-level identifications through associating DNA sequences from unknown specimens to those from curated reference specimens. Although barcodes were not designed for phylogenetics, they can be beneficial to the completion of the Tree of Life. The barcode database for Trichoptera is relatively comprehensive, with data from every family, approximately two-thirds of the genera, and one-third of the described species. Most Trichoptera, as with most of life's species, have never been subjected to any formal phylogenetic analysis. Here, we present a phylogeny with over 16 000 unique haplotypes as a working hypothesis that can be updated as our estimates improve. We suggest a strategy of implementing constrained tree searches, which allow larger datasets to dictate the backbone phylogeny, while the barcode data fill out the tips of the tree. We also discuss how this phylogeny could be used to focus taxonomic attention on ambiguous species boundaries and hidden biodiversity. We suggest that systematists continue to differentiate between ‘Barcode Index Numbers’ (BINs) and ‘species’ that have been formally described. Each has utility, but they are not synonyms. We highlight examples of integrative taxonomy, using both barcodes and morphology for species description.This article is part of the themed issue ‘From DNA barcodes to biomes’.

New species are described in the genera Wormaldia (Trichoptera, Philopotamidae) and Drusus (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae, Drusinae). Additionally, the larva of the new species Drusus crenophylax sp. n. is described, and a key provided to larval Drusus species of the bosnicus-group, in which the new species belongs. Observations on the threats to regional freshwater biodiversity and caddisfly endemism are discussed.The new species Wormaldia sarda sp. n. is an endemic of the Tyrrhenian island of Sardinia and differs most conspicuously from its congeners in the shape of segment X, which is trilobate in lateral view. The new species Drusus crenophylax sp. n. is a micro-endemic of the Western Balkans, and increases the endemism rate of Balkan Drusinae to 79% of 39 species. Compared to other Western Balkan Drusus, males of the new species are morphologically most similar to Drusus discophorus Radovanovic and Drusus vernonensis Malicky, but differ in the shape of superior and intermediate appendages. The females of Drusus crenophylax sp. n. are most similar to those of Drusus vernonensis, but differ distinctly in the outline of segment X. Larvae of Drusus crenophylax sp. n. exhibit toothless mandibles, indicating a scraping grazing-feeding ecology.

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Specific concepts of fluvial ecology are well studied in riverine ecosystems of the temperate zone but poorly investigated in the Afrotropical region. Hence, we examined the longitudinal zonation of fish and adult caddisfly (Trichoptera) assemblages in the endorheic Awash River (1,250 km in length), Ethiopia. We expected that species assemblages are structured along environmental gradients, reflecting the pattern of large-scale freshwater ecoregions. We applied multivariate statistical methods to test for differences in spatial species assemblage structure and identified characteristic taxa of the observed biocoenoses by indicator species analyses. Fish and caddisfly assemblages were clustered into highland and lowland communities, following the freshwater ecoregions, but separated by an ecotone with highest biodiversity. Moreover, the caddisfly results suggest separating the heterogeneous highlands into a forested and a deforested zone. Surprisingly, the Awash drainage is rather species-poor: only 11 fish (1 endemic, 2 introduced) and 28 caddisfly species (8 new records for Ethiopia) were recorded from the mainstem and its major tributaries. Nevertheless, specialized species characterize the highland forests, whereas the lowlands primarily host geographically widely distributed species. This study showed that a combined approach of fish and caddisflies is a suitable method for assessing regional characteristics of fluvial ecosystems in the tropics.

Freshwater ecosystems are known to harbour a rich diversity of habitats and species, but knowledge on the actual distribution of many species still remains scattered or unknown. Supported through the BioFresh project, we collected occurrence records of the insect order Trichoptera throughout Europe. By addressing 82 caddisfly experts, we compiled over 600,000 georeferenced occurrence records, 441,000 of which represent adult specimens. We evaluated the dataset regarding the caddisfly distribution based on freshwater ecoregions. This analysis reveals areas with high Trichoptera biodiversity and centres of endemism in southern Europe (e.g. Spain, Italy and the Balkans) as well as in mountainous regions (e.g. Alps). Also, data-deficient regions become obvious. This is either caused by missing experts providing occurrence records or by the inability to mobilise experts and their data of a certain region. Still, the database ranks among the most comprehensive actual distribution data collections of freshwater invertebrates. The database represents a highly valuable information source for a variety of macro-ecological analyses and modelling scenarios, and it could be the base for a European-wide IUCN Red List of threatened caddisfly species that supports conservation policy decisions.

Zusammenfassung Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchungen ist, die Möglichkeiten einer biologischen Bekämpfung des nach Nord‐Amerika verschleppten Kreuzdorns (Rhamnus cathartica) mittels phytophager Insekten zu prüfen. Gestützt auf intensive eigene Freilandnachsuche sowie auf eine Auswertung der einschlägigen Literatur, geben wir einen Überblick über die phytophage Insektenfauna europäischer Rhamnaceen. Es folgt eine Erörterung biologischer Einzelheiten sowie der Ergebnisse larvaler Fraßtests für Gonepteryx rhamni, Strymonidia spini, Scotosia rhamnata, S. vetulata, Triphosa dubitata, Eurhodope legatella, Hysterosia sodaliana, Sorhagenia rhamniella, S. lophyrella und Bucculatrix „frangulella”. Ein Uberblick über die Phytophagenfauna der Rhamnaceen zeigt, daß vor allem Lepidopteren und Rhynchoten stark mit wirtsspezialisierten Arten vertreten sind und daß jede der untersuchten Wirtsarten ihren eigenen Phytophagenkomplex aufweist. Die Mehrzahl der geprüften stenophagen Lepidopteren‐Arten vermochte im Fraßtest nicht zwischen Blättern der Gattungen Rhamnus und Frangula zu unter‐scheiden, wohl aber zwischen Rhamnus/Frangula einerseits und der Rhamnaceen‐Gattung Paliurus sowie den geprüften Nicht‐Rhamnaceen anderer‐seits. Es werden die von den Rhamnaceen‐Insekten bei der Differenzierung ihrer ökologischen Nischen eingeschlagenen Wege (Spezialisierung auf Wirtsarten, auf verschiedene Strukturteile des Wirts und phänologische Differenzierung) erörtert. Ein eindrucksvolles Beispiel ökologischer Differenzierung bietet die Gattung Sorhagenia. Aussichtsreichste Kandidaten für eine biologische Bekämpfung von R. cathartica in Kanada sind die Geometriden Scotosia vetulata und Triphosa dubitata, die gegenwärtig eingehend studiert werden. Weitere, mögliche Kandidaten stellen Sorhagenia rhamniella sowie einige andere, blattfressende Lepidopteren, die Blattgallen bildende Psyllide Trichochermes walkeri und in den Beeren lebende Gallmücken‐Arten dar, jedoch bedürfen alle diese Arten noch eingehender Untersuchungen.