Author: (Edwards, 1929)
Diagnosis
Exuviae 3.8-5.0mm long (m=4.4mm, n=15) (121-1.jpg).
Cephalothorax: Cephalic tubercles in the form of shallow humps; frontal setae 60µm long (n=1). Thoracic horn of a few (about 10) branches. Thorax in the middle near the suture with a short band of small granules.
Abdomen: Length hook row II 0.62-0.74x width tergite (n=6). Tergites II-V with an anterior transverse band of strong yellow or brown points joined medially to a longitudinal band of small points, which gradually narrows to mid-segment and then widens again to its posterior extent (121b.jpg). On tergite VI the anterior transverse band is reduced in both its extent and the size of its points (especially laterally) and the longitudinal band evanesces at about mid-tergite leaving a patch of very small points posterior to each seta D5. Only segment IV with apical band of points, set well back on the tergite, with a point-free space in front. Sternite I without two antero-lateral armed humps. Pedes spurii B II small, but obvious. Vortex present. Comb of segment VIII of 2-4 curved, awl-shaped teeth with broad contiguous bases. Lateral taeniae of segments V-VIII: 3(1,2),3(2),4,4.
Anal segment: Each anal lobe with 8-13 fringe taeniae (m=11, n=30) (121c.jpg).
(Linked adult male: Langton and Pinder, 2003a)
Species keys out at Page 306: Chironomini 203 Polypedilum of the Text Key.
Distribution
Widespread in Europe, circum-Mediterranean.
(For more information see module IdentifyIt – file: Chironominae).
Ecological notes
Northern lakes.