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

The Rhyacophila invaria Group consists of 14 described species (R. acutilob a Morse & Ross, R, alabama Harris, R. appalachia Morse & Ross, R. banksi Ro ss, R. carolae Harris, R. carpenteri Milne, R. invaria (Walker), R. kondrat ieffi Parker, R. mycta Ross, R. nigrita Banks, R. parantra Ross, R. shenand oahensis Flint, R. tricornuta Sykora & McCabe, and R. vibox Milne; R. accol a Flint, placed in the R. invaria Group when described, is removed). Incomp lete knowledge of these species (females and larvae of several species have not been associated) has hindered resolution of taxonomic questions and th e reconstruction of evolutionary relationships. Females of seven species of eastern North American Rhyacophila are illustrated and described for the f irst time (R. accola, R. amicis Ross, R. appalachia, R. kiamichi Ross, R. m ycta, R. parantra, and R. teddyi Ross) and published descriptions for sever al species are supplemented with additional characters. Larvae of two speci es are illustrated and described for the first time (R. parantra and R. mon tana Carpenter). Keys are given for identification of all males of the 34 eastern North Amer ican species of Rhyacophila, known females (females of two species remain u nknown), and larvae (larvae of eight species remain unknown). Cladistic ana lysis resolves relationships among the species of the R. invaria Group.