Polypedilum

Saether, Ole A., Andersen, Trond, Pinho, Luiz C. & Mendes, Humberto F., 2010, The problems with Polypedilum Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae), with the description of Probolum subgen. n., Zootaxa 2497, pp. 1-36 : 28

Polypedilum spp.

( Figs 44–45 )

Material examined. USA: Missouri, Atherton, 2 female paratypes of P. pedatum pedatum , 7.v.1916 & 7.v. 1922, C.F. Adams (Cornell University, Dept. of Entomology, Types No. 2671.2, 2671.3); Louisiana, opposite Orange, Sabine River Ferry, 1 female paratype of P. pedatum pedatum , 20.vi.1917, Cornell Biol. Exped. (Cornell University, Dept. of Entomology, Type No. 2671.1).

Three female paratypes from Missouri and Louisiana although belonging to Polypedilum cannot belong to P. pedatum as they have a quite different ventrolateral lobe of gonapophysis VIII. They have R4+5 strongly curved at apex and ending at wing tip and M is bare. Thus according to the description by Townes they should have been listed under P. pedatum excelsius and not under P. pedatum pedatum . However, all three specimens have a spine on the fore tibial scale and thus do not belong to P. excelsius . The three specimens differ from each other both in the genitalia and in the front tibial scale and apparently consist of at least two different species. The genitalia of both are illustrated in Figures 44–45 . Both have the highly unusual, rounded ventrolateral lobe with weak or no microtrichia as in P. (Probolum) marcondesi and not the brush-like lobe typical for other Polypedilum . They thus could very well belong to the subgenus Probolum.

Figures

FIGURES 44 – 45. Polypedilum (Uresipedilum) spp., females. 44 – genitalia, ventral view of paratype of Polypedilum (Uresipedilum) pedatum Townes, 1945, from Missouri. 45 – genitalia, ventral view of paratype of P. (U.) pedatum from Louisiana.