A new caddisfly larval case (Insecta, Trichoptera) from the Lower Cretaceous Vectis Formation (Wealden Group) of the Isle of Wight, southern England

A new species of trichopteran larval case is described and named Piscindusia complexa isp. nov. The holotype specimen occurs in a well-cemented sandstone gutter cast from the upper Shepherd's Chine Member of the Vectis Formation (Wealden Group) at Atherfield, Isle of Wight. The new species is assigned to Piscindusia based on the use of fish bones and scales in the construction of the case walls. Piscindusia complexa isp. nov. is distinguished from the type species Piscindusia sukachevae Jarzembowski by its smaller size, near-parallel walls along most of the case length and more complex construction. Piscindusia complexa isp. nov. displays advanced larval construction behaviour evident in material selectivity, manipulation and organization, supporting hypotheses of evolution in the case-building behaviour of trichopteran larvae during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous.