Eastern nearctic Rhyacophila species, with revision of the Rhyacophila invaria group (Trichoptera: rhyacophilidae)

The Rhyacophila invaria Group consists of 14 described species (R. acutiloba Morse & Ross, R, alabama Harris, R. appalachia Morse & Ross, R. banksi Ross, R. carolae Harris, R. carpenteri Milne, R. invaria (Walker), R. kondratieffi Parker, R. mycta Ross, R. nigrita Banks, R. parantra Ross, R. shenandoahensis Flint, R. tricornuta Sykora & McCabe, and R. vibox Milne; R. accola Flint, placed in the R. invaria Group when described, is removed). Incomplete knowledge of these species (females and larvae of several species have not been associated) has hindered resolution of taxonomic questions and the reconstruction of evolutionary relationships. Females of seven species of eastern North American Rhyacophila are illustrated and described for the first time (R. accola, R. amicis Ross, R. appalachia, R. kiamichi Ross, R. mycta, R. parantra, and R. teddyi Ross) and published descriptions for several species are supplemented with additional characters. Larvae of two species are illustrated and described for the first time (R. parantra and R. montana Carpenter). Keys are given for identification of all males of the 34 eastern North American species of Rhyacophila, known females (females of two species remain unknown), and larvae (larvae of eight species remain unknown). Cladistic analysis resolves relationships among the species of the R. invaria Group.