Stictochironomus polystictus ( Kieffer, 1911 )

Mukherjee, Tuhar, Mukherjee, Bindarika & Hazra, Niladri, 2020, Revision of the Oriental species of Polypedilum Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae) with their phylogenetic relationship, Zootaxa 4820 (1), pp. 31-69 : 51

Stictochironomus polystictus ( Kieffer, 1911)

Chironomus polystictus Kieffer, 1911: 137 .

Stictochironomus polystictus ( Kieffer, 1911) : Bhattacharyay, Mazumdar and Chaudhuri, 1996: 319.

Polypedilum clavipennae Hazra, Sanyal and Brahma, 2015: 4 ; Hazra, Niitsuma, Chaudhuri, 2016: 97 Syn. n.

Material examined. Holotype male with larval and pupal exuviae [reared] labelled ‘ Polypedilum clavipennae Hazra, Sanyal and Brahma , India, West Bengal, Alipurduar Junction (26.52, 89.53), 29.x.2012, Coll. K. Sanyal’ ; Paratypes 4 males, data as holotype ; 2 males labelled ‘ Polypedilum clavipennae Hazra, Sanyal and Brahma , India, West Bengal, Malda, Englishbazar (24.40, 88.28), 15.i.2012, Coll. U.K. Mandal’ .

Remarks. The species Polypedilum clavipennae Hazra, Sanyal and Brahma was previously unplaced subgenerically. But after careful study, it has been found to be a member of the genus Stictochironomus Kieffer. The combination of these characters justifies the inclusion of P. clavipennae Hazra, Sanyal and Brahma under the genus Stictochironomus : Male. 1) Frontal tubercle present, 2) wing membrane marked without setae, 3) anterior and posterior tibial combs of mid and hind legs fused, 4) T VIII not basally constricted and 5) inferior volsella bent laterad.

Pupa. 1) Cephalic tubercles well developed with long frontal setae, 2) anterior transverse bands of shagreen on T II–VI, 3) caudolateral comb with 5–6 teeth. Larva. 1) Antenna 6-segmented, blades shorter than flagellum, 2) ventromental plates with well developed posterior lobes, and 3) mandible with 1 dark dorsal tooth. The pattern of the wing spots, shape of the anal point, superior and inferior volsellae, mophometric measurements like AR, VR, HR, and HV, and thoracic chaetotaxy leads us to the conclusion that P. (P.) clavipennae is a junior synonym of Stictochironomus polystictus .