Author: (Meigen, 1818)
Diagnosis (in part after Saether, 1989a - in italics)
Exuviae 4.0, 4.1mm long (n=2).
Cephalothorax: All setae 15-41µm long. Thorax with some blunt points to extensively covered by shagreen.
Abdomen: Tergite I with extensive lateral shagreen of blunt points to covered by shagreen; II with pointed points anteriorly and covered by rounded points in one specimen which are lacking anteriomedially in other; III as II, but shagreen more extensive; IV-VI as III, but whole segment covered with shagreen; VII-VIII as IV-VI, but without anterior group in one specimen, barely indicated in other. Tergites II-VIII densely covered with conspicuous tubercular points except for an anterior transverse band of somewhat stronger triangular points or spinules and the posterior transverse row of spine-like teeth (062k.jpg). Tergites II-VII or II-VIII each with a posterior transverse row of teeth which may be flattened and contiguous, without a similar anterior transverse row. Tergites without longitudinal ridges posteriorly. Tergites VI-VIII without a median circular patch of spinules. Sternites not armed posteriorly with teeth. Sternite I with extensive lateral shagreen; II-III with median pointed points plus lateral or more extensive rounded points; IV with few median and lateral points to covered with blunt points; V-VIII with extensive shagreen.
Anal segment: Tergite IX covered with blunt points; sternite IX with extensive anterior shagreen. Anal lobes flat, without strong teeth along the lateral margins and not extended posteriorly into a downwardly curved point. Anal lobe ratio 1.8 (n=1). Fringe absent; 3 anal macrosetae on each anal lobe, spinous, length 0.31, 0.35x lobe length (n=2). Male genital sheaths overreaching by 26-41µm.
(Linked adult male: Langton and Pinder, 2003a)
Species keys out at Page 785: Orthocladiinae 197 Metriocnemus of the Text Key.
Distribution
Holarctic species: widespread in Europe.
(For more information see module IdentifyIt – file: Orthocladiinae).
Ecological notes
Larvae in moss on damp ground.