Polypedilum cultellatum

Author: Goetghebuer, 1931

Diagnosis
Known pupal exuviae of the cultellatum group have the cephalic tubercles reduced to low humps, frontal setae short, prealar tubercle present, tergite II with strong points in anterior band, conjunctive III/IV with points. (Oyewo and Saether, 1998a)
Exuviae 4.1-5.7mm long (m=4.9mm, n=15).
Cephalothorax: Frontal setae 80µm long (n=1). Thoracic horn of a few (about 10) branches, branches much shorter than half the length of the abdomen. Thorax with conspicuously large granules near suture (112b.jpg).
Abdomen: Length hook row II 0.34-0.50x width tergite (n=5); hooks II 39-76 (m=52, n=17). Tergites II-VI with obvious anterior transverse bands of points stronger than those of the median patch with which they may be confluent for the tergite width. Apical bands of tergites III and IV of large points or hooks, as conspicuous as the hooks of the hook row on segment II, forming a narrow transverse band the width of the tergite, the points more abundant on IV than on III (121g.jpg). Armament of tergite VII medially interrupted. Sternite I without two antero-lateral armed humps. Pedes spurii B II small. Vortex present. Comb of segment VIII of 1-5 teeth on the apico-lateral corner of the segment (n=14). Lateral taeniae of segments V-VIII: 3,3,4,4.
Anal segment: Fringe of anal lobe with 21-36 taeniae (m=30, n=21).
(Linked adult male: Langton and Pinder, 2003a)

Species keys out at Page 311: Chironomini 208 Polypedilum of the Text Key.

Distribution
Palaearctic species: widespread in Europe, circum-Mediterranean.
(For more information see module IdentifyIt – file: Chironominae).

Ecological notes
Stagnant and running water.

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