Author: (Meigen, 1818)
Diagnosis (in part after Saether, 1989a - in italics)
Exuviae 3.3-4.2mm long (n=4).
Abdomen: Tergite I with few median points; Tergite II with relatively extensive shagreen, relatively coarse medially, weak laterally. Tergites (II)III-VIII each with a posterior transverse row of flattened teeth which are mostly radially pleated and semicircularly rounded off at apex. Tergites without longitudinal ridges posteriorly. Pedes spurii A present as complete bands of about 9-10 rows of points on sternites I-VI. Sternites not armed posteriorly with teeth. Sternite I with small anteriomedian group of points in addition to posterior band of pedes spurii A; II-III with strong anteriomedian group of pointed points; IV bare; V with few, blunt anteriomedian points; VI-VIII with gradually more extensive shagreen increasing to anterior half on VIII.
Anal segment: Tergite IX with strong pointed points anteriorly, extensive posteriorly; sternite IX bare. Anal lobe ratio 2.0 (n=2). Anal lobes flat, without strong teeth along the lateral margins and not extended posteriorly into a downwardly curved point. Anal lobes without fringe; 3 spinous anal macrosetae on each lobe, 0.41-0.43x length of lobe (n=3).
(Linked adult male: Langton and Pinder, 2003a)
Species keys out at Page 787: Orthocladiinae 199 Metriocnemus of the Text Key.
Distribution
Holarctic species: widespread in Europe.
(For more information see module IdentifyIt – file: Orthocladiinae).
Ecological notes
Larvae in surface debris of pools and in moss on damp ground.