Paracladopelma nigrotibia ( Bhattacharya, Dutta & Chaudhuri, 1985 ) Mukherjee & Hazra, 2023

Mukherjee, Bindarika & Hazra, Niladri, 2023, Taxonomic studies on Harnischia complex from India (Diptera: Chironomidae), Zootaxa 5278 (2), pp. 239-263 : 243

Paracladopelma nigrotibia ( Bhattacharya, Dutta & Chaudhuri, 1985) Comb.n.

Beckidia nigrotibia Bhattacharya, Dutta and Chaudhuri, 1985: 177 ; Hazra, Niitsuma and Chaudhuri, 2016: 62.

Remarks. Bhattacharya et al., 1985 described the species in the genus Beckidia . Based on the original description and illustrations (presence of 8–10 Acs in two rows, more or less cerciform superior volsella, anal point from the apical end of tergite IX, absence of distally widest gonostylus and blunt projection on tergite IX), we tentatively place it to the genus Paracladopelma . It is also affirmed that the superior volsella is not cerciform rather it is completely pediform, microtrichiose with several apical setae, and slender gonostylus is pointed apically.

Distribution. India, West Bengal.

A world key to the species of the genus Beckidia Saether (male)

1. Inferior volsella with two rounded medially fused lobes (Oriental China).............. B. binum ( Yan, Jin & Wang, 2008)

- Inferior volsella set off as a distinct single lobe.............................................................. 2

2. Superior volsella about 3 times as wide at apex as at base (Palaearctic).............. B. zabolotzskyi ( Goetghebuer, 1938)

- Superior volsella less than twice as wide at apex as at base.................................................... 3

3(2). Middle and hind tibiae each with 1 spur (Holarctic)....................................... B. tethys ( Townes, 1945)

- Middle and hind tibiae with 2 spurs...................................................................... 4

4(3). Gonostylus widest medially............................................................................. 5

- Gonostylus widest distally.............................................................................. 6

5(4). Superior volsella with 5 setae (Afrotropics).............................................. B. hirsti ( Freeman, 1957)

- Superior volsella with 13 setae (Palaearctic)............................................. B. biraensis Zorina, 2006

6(4). Superior volsella pad like having 10–12 setae; anal tergite band H type (Palaearctic)............. B. connexa Zorina, 2006

- Superior volsella expanded apically having 13–16 setae; anal tergite band Y type (Orient)................ B. inflata sp. n.