194 Psyche [Vol. 93 
we conclude for reasons outlined below, that all of these names are 
best treated as synonyms of the original species O. unicolor; also 
included in the synonymy is the Palaearctic O. flavus. 
In distinguishing species within the unicolor complex, Banks 
(1943) utilized characters derived from colour of the fore wings and 
genitalic morphology. The corneous points on the fore wings of 
most Trichoptera in cells R4 and M (thyridial cell) are usually 
darkly pigmented in species of Onocosmoecus and contrast strongly 
with the light to medium brown fore wings. Around these points the 
membrane often has indefinite darkened areas, and the extent of 
these “clouds” was used by Banks as a diagnostic character (Fig. 1). 
Although the darkened areas show some differences among type 
series, we found that variation prevented their use as effective diag- 
nostic characters. We have been unable to find in genitalic struc- 
tures of either males or females throughout the unicolor complex 
discrete or discontinuous character states signifying genetic groups 
and taxonomic species. Differences in shape of the branches of 
segment X or segments of the inferior appendages to which Banks 
(1943) also referred seem valid for a few male specimens but blend 
into a seemingly continuously variable range when more series are 
studied. Particular importance as diagnostic characters was given by 
Banks to the number and arrangement of spines on the parameres. 
We found inordinate variability in these spines, ranging from one to 
six on each paramere throughout the range of the unicolor complex 
and frequently with a range in number exhibited within a series 
from one locality; size and arrangement of the spines was equally 
variable. Frequently on the two parameres of a single individual the 
spines differed in both number and arrangement, sometimes exhibit- 
ing conditions said to be diagnostic for two of the putative species. 
Diagnosis of the females was based mainly on characters of the 
shape of the tapered posterior extremity of segment X (Banks’ 
sheath of the ovipositor) and presence of a basolateral tooth or 
ledge, and shape of the three parts of the vulval lobe. Using these 
features Banks characterized the females in rather general terms but 
not with precise diagnoses. We found, as with the males, that 
because of many intermediate conditions in the characters proposed 
we were unable to establish discrete groups for females within the 
unicolor complex. 
We have been cognizant of the possibility that species might be 
definable within the unicolor complex on the basis of other 
