Author: (Walker, 1856)
Diagnosis
Exuviae 4.2-5.6mm long (m=5.2mm, n=15).
Cephalothorax: Cephalic tubercles short and broad, 45µm long (n=1); 0.35x higher than broad (110k.jpg). Thoracic horn much branched. Thoracic granulation fine, with a few small but obviously larger granules in a patch near suture. Posterior thoracic mound strongly swollen anteriorly and with a long posterior projection, which is often curved apically (110j.jpg).
Abdomen: Tergite armament of Parachironomus-pattern. Length hook row II 0.25-0.36x width tergite (n=7). Tergite II without armament. Sternite I without toothed humps. Sternite II with the posterior transverse spine band represented, but with no trace of the anterior band. Vortex present. Comb of segment VIII 0-7 small colourless spines (m=3.6, n=36). Lateral taeniae of segments V-VIII: 4,4,4,5.
Anal segment: Fringe of anal lobe with 43-98 taeniae (m=59, n=20).
(Linked adult male: Langton and Pinder, 2003a)
Species keys out at Page 248: Chironomini 145 Parachironomus of the Text Key.
Distribution
Palaearctic species: widespread in Europe, circum-Mediterranean.
(For more information see module IdentifyIt – file: Chironominae).
Ecological notes
Ponds, ditches, slow flowing drains and rivers.