Key to the known larvae of European Myrmeleon

1 Labial palpi 3-articulated (Fig. 5D)................................................................... M. bore

- Labial palpi 4-articulated (Fig. 5E)........................................................................ 2

2 IX abdominal sternite with anterior row of digging setae composed by 4 setae (Figs. 6A, 6G)......................... 3

- IX abdominal sternite with anterior row of digging setae composed by at least 6 (exceptionally 5) setae (Figs. 6E, 6F)...... 7

3 Coxae of the hind pair of legs with large dark markings (Figs. 26–28)............................................ 4

- Coxae of the hind pair of legs without markings (Figs. 32, 33).................................................. 6

4 Ventral side of the mandible with a covering of setae external to the maxilla reaching the basal tooth; femora of the hind pair of legs spotless (Fig. 27)......................................................................... M. gerlindae

- Ventral side of the mandible with a covering of setae external to the maxilla reaching the middle tooth; femora of the hind pair of legs spotted (Figs. 26, 28)............................................................................. 5

5 Small larva, head capsule length less than 2 mm, mesothoracic coxae unspotted (Fig. 28)................... M. punicanus

- Large larva, head capsule length more than 2 mm, mesothoracic coxae spotted (Fig. 26)................... M. formicarius

6 Ventral side of the head with a pair of dark elongated markings; ventral side of the mandible with a very sparse covering of setae external to the maxilla; body with a recognizable dark pattern (Fig. 32).............................. M.hyalinus

- Ventral side of the head without markings; ventral side of the mandible with a thick covering of setae external to the maxilla; body without contrasted dark areas (Fig. 33)....................................................... M. fasciatus

7 Dark habitus; IX abdominal sternite with the anterior row of digging setae composed by equal-sized setae (Figs. 6E, 30)............................................................................................. M.inconspicuus

- Pale habitus; IX abdominal sternite with the anterior row of digging setae composed by large setae disorderly interspersed with shorter ones (Figs. 6F, 31)................................................................ M. mariaemathildae