Chironomus montuosus

Author: Ryser, Wülker and Scholl, 1985

Diagnosis (Material in coll. Wülker)
Exuviae 8.6, 9.0mm long (n=2).
Cephalothorax: Cephalic tubercles conical, 75, 90µm high (n=2) (101f.jpg). Frontal setae 55µm long (n=1). Thoracic horn much branched.
Abdomen: Hook row II medially interrupted, length of row 0.17, 0.20 (0.07, 0.08 gap) 0.20, 0.24x width tergite; hooks 35/37, 44/44 (n=2). The point patches increase in extent from tergite II to V, but on VI the patch is more or less reduced; the points in each segment increasing in size posteriorly. Armament of tergites II-VI in the form of an undivided, somewhat reduced patch of strong points, e.g. on tergite IV, laterally becoming marmorate at or before level seta D1 and stopping short of seta D2 (101e.jpg). (Anterior armament of tergite and sternite VII of similar small points.) Pedes spurii B of segment II conspicuous. Pleura IV unarmed. Conjunctives III/IV and IV/V with a small lateral seta, V/VI and VI/VII unarmed or very weakly armed. Comb of segment VIII with 1/2 dark apical teeth. Lateral taeniae of segments V-VIII: 4,4,4,5.
Anal segment: Fringe of anal lobe with 97-126 taeniae (n=2).

Note: Pupa of the type Lobochironomus pe2. Species of this type have extremely similar pupae. With few specimens available the distinctions given must be treated as tentative. The more extensive marmoration of the median point patches on the abdominal tergites, the dense small granulation of the thorax (especially between the dorsocentral setae and the suture) and the general brown colour of the exuviae (conjunctives and anterior anal lobe colourless), should enable recognition of this species.

Species keys out at Page 142: Chironomini 39 Chironomus of the Text Key.

Distribution
C Europe.
(For more information see module IdentifyIt – file: Chironominae).

Ecological notes
Alpine ponds, above 1,700m.

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