Trichoptera of Bolivia

Research Team

Desi Robertson
Ralph Holzenthal
Roger Blahnik

This project began in 2003, when Robertson and Blahnik initiated the first directed effort to collect Trichoptera in Bolivia by conducting a preliminary survey of Madidi National Park and surrounding areas. Robertson returned to Bolivia, Fall 2004, to collect in Amboró, Carrasco, and Cotapata National Parks. Preliminary results have already yielded over 48 species new to science and more than doubled the number of species previously known from the country.

Cooperating Bolivian institutions include the Museo de Historia Natural Noel Kempff Mercado (Santa Cruz) and the Colección Boliviana de Fauna, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (La Paz).

Financial support for this project has come from a variety of sources including NSF PEET- DEB 0117772 (RH & RB); Dayton & Wilkie Fund, Bell Museum, University of Minnesota (DR); Walter H. Judd International Graduate & Professional Fellowship, Graduate School, University of Minnesota (DR); North American Benthological Society Graduate Student Conservation Research Award (DR); and the University of Minnesota Insect Collection.

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