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Roughly 18,000 species are described annually as new to science, while estimated extinction rates are comparable to or even exceeding these new discoveries. Considering the estimates of up to 15 million extant eukaryotic species on Earth, of which only about 2 million have been described so far, there has been a recent ‘boom’ of new potential approaches to more quickly discover and describe the millions of unknown species. This deficit is particularly noted in hyperdiverse taxa, as the current rate of species discovery is considered too slow. Recently, a ‘minimalist’ alpha taxonomic approach was proposed, relying solely on DNA barcoding and a habitus photograph, in a claimed effort to expedite the naming of new species to combat the so-called taxonomic impediment. In this paper, we point to limitations of minimalist taxonomy, present arguments in favour of the integrative approach, and finally explore a number of potential solutions to combat the taxonomic impediment in hyperdiverse taxa without sacrificing utility and quality for apparent speed and quantity.

Alpha taxonomy of caddisflies (order Trichoptera) is based primarily on male genital morphology. As such, associations of adult females and other life stages typically require conclusive association with the species’ identifiable male. The aim of this study was to use molecular methods to associate females and larvae of Polycentropus species represented in the Nearctic. Analysis of mtCOI sequences using distance‐ and tree‐based methods resulted in the association of larvae for 14 species of Polycentropus (P. alabamensis Hamilton, Harris & Lago, 1990, P. blicklei Ross & Yamamoto 1965, P. carlsoni Morse 1971, P. carolinensis Banks 1905, P. colei Ross 1941, P. confusus Hagen 1861, P. denningi Smith 1962, P. elarus Ross 1944, P. gertschi Denning 1950, Polycentropus halidus Milne 1936, P. maculatus Banks 1908, P. pentus Ross 1941, P. rickeri Yamamoto 1966, and P. variegatus Banks 1900) and females for 2 species (P. carolinensis and P. chelatus Ross & Yamamoto 1965). Searches for, and descriptions of, diagnostic morphological characters for these previously unidentifiable life forms are now possible. The identity of the larva of P. centralis Banks, 1914 is confirmed and some interesting phylogenetic relationships and a possible cryptic species and potential synonyms are implied in the results. Targets for future immature‐ and female–male associations are discussed along with a preliminary assessment of morphological differences among larvae.

Among India’s impressive biodiversity is a substantial Trichoptera fauna. The most diverse primary aquatic insect order, the Trichoptera are being described at a rapid rate in India even while the country’s freshwater habitats face myriad pressures. To characterize the Trichoptera fauna of India, the goals of this article are to: (1) provide an updated checklist of the Indian families, genera, and species, complete with state- or territory-level distributional data and (2) estimate the species richness in the country. A total of 27 families, 100 genera, and 1435 species are recorded from India, unevenly divided among the 36 Indian states and territories. An estimated 3401 extant species of the Trichoptera occur in India, indicating a significant Linnaean Shortfall and much work yet to do on the Trichoptera of India.

A new eastern Nearctic species of tube-making caddisfly of the genus Polycentropus Curtis 1835 (Trichoptera: Polycentropodidae) is described and illustrated based on adult males and females. Polycentropus aileenae n. sp., a member of the Polycentropus confusus Species Group, is reported from the Canadian province Nova Scotia and the U.S. states Tennessee and Pennsylvania. The species is diagnosed based on multiple aspects of the male genitalia, including inflection of the dorsal processes of the preanal appendages and the slightly recurved dorsum of the apex of the phallus. New U.S. state records of P. confusus Hagen 1861 and P. elarus Ross 1944 from Florida, and P. thaxtoni Hamilton & Holzenthal 1986 from Alabama, are also provided.