Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Slide Preparation
Morphology
Larva
Pupa
Identification of larval Chironomidae
Key to subfamilies of Chironomidae
Larvae
Pupae
Telmatogetoninae: key, biology, figures
Podonominae: key, biology, figures
Aphroteniinae: key, biology, figures
Tanypodinae: key, biology, figures
Diamesinae: key, biology, figures
Orthocladiinae: key, biology, figures
Chironominae: generic keys to larvae, pupae
Pseudochironomini: keys, biology, figures
Tanytarsini: keys, biology, figures
Chironomini: keys, biology, figures
References
1
Acknowledgements
This key is an updatable version to allow identification of
Australian aquatic Chironomidae, to species-level where
possible. The work is founded on a current total of ten years of
preparation, involving local rearing programmes and slide
preparation. This work has relied upon many people and
various sources of funds provided for a number of more-or-less
specific reasons. These were used predominantly to maintain a
sequence of technical officers that gave all manner of support,
notably maintaining live cultures of individual larvae,
microscope slide preparation and illustration. I am particularly
grateful to Wendy Lee for her technical assistance in many tasks.
Assistance with illustrations initially came from Andrew Carter
and later from Karina Hansen McInness - the collaborative
process usually involved my production of rough pencil line
drawings using a camera lucida on a compound microscope,
the artist then inking, and my subsequent completion of fine
details by comparison with a range of specimens. Although
many of the illustrations therefore are collaborative, all blame
for inaccuracies lies with Peter Cranston.
Introduction
The Chironomidae are a diverse and abundant group of Diptera.
The immature stages occur predominantly in aquatic
ecosystems of all descriptions. Here they may be the dominant
macro-invertebrates in biomass and diversity. Other species
occur in terrestrial, semi-terrestrial and marine biotopes but
these are not dealt with in detail in the following keys and
comments.
Perhaps only in the European part of the Holarctic region, can
all Chironomidae be identified to species level. None-the-less
species-level identification is an aspiration in all biological
studies, including biological monitoring. In the Holarctic
region it took a ten-year programme involving at least six groups
of researchers to rear chironomids and reconcile disparate
generic systems that allows the stable framework into which
species information can be stored. This massive collaborative
effort brings closer the ideal of species identification.
In Australia, chironomid taxonomy is less advanced although
firm foundations have been laid. As elsewhere, initial studies
concentrated on the adult stage to the exclusion of the more
ecologically significant immature stages. This framework had
to be established before progress could be made on the
immature stages and it must be said that the generic concepts
used by Freeman (1961) predominantly have stood the test of
time. Studies in the intervening thirty years have expanded the
number of published species names, particularly Glover’s (1973)
work on the tribe Tanytarsini. In the past decade, a range of
Australian studies has led to an increase in the number of
species recognised, but this is only slowly leading to an increase
in the formally published names. These species are provided
with code names (see below) prior to their eventual formal
publication.
The present keys are the results of more than a decade of work
on the Australian fauna by the author. For funding reasons, the
fauna of the Alligator Rivers region, the upper Murray, S.E.
Queensland have been best studied in the initial years; for
logistical reasons and subsequent funding, the Sydney drainage
and SE Australia around Canberra were targeted and
interpolated into the existing framework. Throughout, with the
enthusiastic assistance of Don Edward, the Western Australian
chironomids have been included where possible.
Although there are many geographic lacunae, this may be less
serious than was once believed. The biogeography of the
Chironomidae is just beginning to be understood. Whilst there
is surely a cool stenothermic “Gondwanan” fauna, elements extend as far north as southern Queensland and part is represented
in south-western Western Australia. Likewise a warm-adapted,
but still “Gondwanan” fauna, once thought to be restricted to the
most northern part of the continent, is more widely distributed.
For example, many of these latter taxa occur in warm, late-summer waters in central New South Wales. One of the primary
results of this commissioned study is the recognition that there
is much less regional endemism than believed previously. Thus
there seems to be an over-riding current-day ecological component to the distribution of many Chironomidae, masking much
of the historical biogeographic signal. Therefore this identification guide covers most currently known Australian taxa: none
can be excluded by their apparent absence from the geographic
area under consideration.
Now for the warning: as with all keys to diverse groups of
insects, this present guide must be treated as provisional - some
taxa will not key, particularly in the subfamily Orthocladiinae.
For example, many taxa were unknown, or rarely seen, until Rod
Hardwick started to look in detail at the wood-associated
chironomid fauna. This, and previous versions of continent-wide
keys, almost certainly fail to allow identification of certain very
habitat-specific animals. Other micro-habitats that have not been
studied in adequate detail are expected to reveal further novelty.
Furthermore, the very existence of a guide encourages people to
send material that doesn’t key. The process is one of constant
updating and in no sense can there be a final and definitive
version for such a widespread and diverse group of organisms.
Users should treat this guide bearing this in mind.
This guide is organised in the following manner: an introductory
section on slide making and rearing is followed by an outline of
terminology. The terminology used follows the Holarctic key to
larvae and the morphology section is included. This
terminology is now standard. A key to allow discrimination of
Chironomidae from other aquatic nematocerous Diptera is given.
Keys are provided to subfamilies for adult males, females, pupa
and larvae. These are world-wide and derive from Cranston
(1994). Keys to larvae and pupae of the genera of chironomid
larvae follow, with illustrations of all major characters given.
For selected large and ecologically significant genera, keys to
species are given as far as is practical. The illustrations that
follow are arranged in phylogenetic and alphabetical order: pages
are unnumbered to facilitate assembly and so that additions and
alterations can be inserted at a later date.
Classification and names
Biological classifications are hierarchical arrangements of groups
within groups, in which the levels (categories or ranks)
represented in this hierarchy bear names. The application of these
names are governed by rules of nomenclature (I.C.Z.N., 1985)
intended to maintain stability of names. The fundamental
nomenclatural category is the species which is placed into
increasingly inclusive categories. The categories used in
chironomid nomenclature are given below, with bold suffices:
2
TAXON CATEGORYSTANDARD SUFFIX
Superfamily
FAMILY
Semifamily
Subfamily
Tribe
GENUS
Subgenus
SPECIES
author name
Chironom-oidea
Chironom-idae
Chironom-oinae
Chironom-inae
Chironom-ini
Chironomus
Chironomus
tepperi
Skuse
No species name appears for many taxa in this key and in other
cases there isn’t even a generic name. This means that one or
more of the following applies:
(i) The adult is reared but no formal description has been made.
(ii) The adult is unreared, but this stage is needed for
confirmatory identification;
(iii) The life-history stage available to me cannot be placed into
any previously described genus;
(iv) I haven’t had time to make the appropriate comparison with
described/published material.
There are some cases, notably in Cricotopus and Riethia, in which
a manuscript for publication is progressing (slowly) and names
for new species are being developed. In the case of Cricotopus
the new names are used in this guide, however, these names are
informal (unofficial) until published, and should not be used in
any publication until a formal publication appears. Names in
quotes (e.g. Cricotopus “hillmani” in this key) do not
constitute publication.
Slide Preparation
Insects and related arthropods can be identified as far as order,
and usually to family-level, using the low powered
magnification provided by a binocular microscope. However,
identification of some adult arthropods and many immature stages
to genus or species requires examination of smaller features that
cannot be seen under low powered objectives. Higher
magnification is provided by a compound microscope, but the
specimens to be examined need to be prepared on microscope
slides under a coverslip. There are many methods of slide
preparation, depending on the material to be examined and the
requirement for temporary or permanent preparation.
Temporary or permanent ?
Surveys can generate large amounts of material: it is
time-consuming and inefficient to prepare everything for
permanent storage on slides. A voucher collection should be
maintained based on permanently mounted specimens - this may
allow recognition of features that can be seen without requiring
slide-mounting, or that can be seen on rapidly made temporary
mounts. If a slide-mount is needed for identification, it is
tempting to use a temporary mountant for speed, sacrificing the
benefits of permanent storage.
Temporary mountants
Specimens can be placed directly into these mountants, with
little or no prior preparation, and examined under a coverslip
either directly under the compound microscope, or after a
period of drying. Such temporary mountants include chloral
hydrate based mountants such as Stroyans, Hoyers’ and Berlese,
lactophenol derivatives and synthetic polymers such as DHMF
resin, all of which are water soluble, allowing specimens to be
mounted from water (or sometimes from dilute alcohol if not
much alcohol is taken over). All have some kind of “clearing”
effect - in which the musculature that interferes with visibility is
destroyed. Clearing involves time, and often heating of the slide
(in an oven) enhances clearing. The reason that these mountants
are described as temporary is their impermanence - through
crystallization, darkening, brittleness, overclearing, etc etc.
Sometimes these effects take time (many years) but it does result
in loss of specimens.
Permanent mountants
These mountants have stood the test of time, allowing
examination of slide-prepared material after more than fifty years.
All taxonomic material and voucher material from ecological,
agricultural and biocontrol programmes that have historical
significance ought to be prepared with permanent mountant,
properly labelled and deposited in a safe collection. There are
really only two permanent mountants: Canada Balsam and
Euparal. These mountants are not water soluble, neither do they
have much clearing effect. Therefore specimens have to be
carefully prepared before placing in the mountant, in a
time-consuming process described below.
Permanent mounts: clearing
Muscles within an insect make microscopic examination
difficult because lightly sclerotised structures are obscured.
Removal of muscle is necessary for examination of immature
stages, genitalia of adults and often also for features of the head
and thorax of adults. This is necessary even if slide mounting is
not the ultimate objective (e.g. preservation in microvials). For
all these purposes, soaking in a 10% solution of potassium
hydroxide (KOH) is the usual method. This may be warmed on
a hot plate, or even boiled for very solid structures (genitalia
capsules of larger insects); however for more delicate structures
use cold KOH overnight - which has the advantage of
preventing “over- clearing”. For some very delicate insects
some people recommend soaking in detergent (e.g. Teepol) which
is a milder alkali.
Some structures should not be treated with alkali: notably the
wings, whose opposing membranes separate in KOH. Wings
should be removed prior to clearing (e.g. from dry mounted
specimens or from 80% ethanol) and transferred either directly
to the mountant or to the absolute alcohol prior to slide
mounting.
Permanent mounts: neutralisation and desiccation
After the muscles have been cleared, the alkalinity must be
returned to neutral or acid. The two mounting media have
different needs. For Euparal mountant, glacial acetic acid not
only neutralises but starts the process of dehydration. Ten
minutes in acetic acid is followed by transfer to absolute
alcohol. Isopropanol is by far the best: it remains absolute even
on humid days, since it does not attract water from the
atmosphere like ethanol. Dehydration is quite rapid, and a few
minutes in isopropanol is usually enough (you can leave it longer
if you need). When the specimen is transferred to mountant, if
there are insoluble globules, then you’ve transferred some
water. Do not continue, but take the specimen back to absolute
isopropanol - water droplets in a non-aqueous mountant cause
worse visibility than the musculature that you’ve just cleared.
3
Dissection
Putting on the coverslip
As we’ve already seen, it is unusual to make whole mounts,
especially of winged insects which at least have the wings
dissected off and prepared under a separate coverslip.
The equipment required for dissection usually include fine
jewelers forceps (e.g. Inox #5) and fine mounting needles.
Micropins in matchsticks will suffice for a few dissections, but
tungsten needles are best for routine work. Tungsten wire is used
in SEM work, and since only a few cms are required it should be
easy to beg some. To sharpen and maintain a fine needle point:
Sharpening tungsten needles
Use a 12 volt dc power source (transformer for compound
microscope or battery charger for example). Attach a carbon rod
anode (black, -ve lead) and the needle in metal holder as
cathode (red, +ve lead). Use 10% KOH as liquid in a cell (beaker
or similar). Apply current. Bubbles form at the tungsten tip (as
current etches a fine point). Keep checking the needle tip under
a microscope - it is quite easy to dissolve the lot in KOH,
producing an expensive solution of tungsten hydroxide and a
short blunt needle.
After all the work of clearing and preparing the specimen, you
don’t want to be looking at a collection of air bubbles trapped
beneath the coverslip. Coverslips are supplied dirty, so first wipe
the surface clean with isopropanol on a tissue. The drop of
mountant on the slide into which the specimen was placed should
be large enough to be covered with a coverslip: if not, put a
small drop of mountant onto the coverslip. Using fine forceps,
hold the coverslip at a slight angle to the slide and allow the
edge of the coverslip to make contact with the edge of the drop
of still-liquid mountant, then gently lower the coverslip to
horizontal. Gentle pressure on the coverslip will allow a certain
amount of orientation of the specimen beneath. Be very careful
with compression, which can cause distortion - however, for examination of the mentum, a certain amount of flattening is needed.
Beware of catching the larval mandible behind the mentum as
this causes great difficulty in interpreting either structure - try to
spread the mandibles (so they don’t obscure the
antenna either !).
4
Morphology
(Figures 1-2)
The larval instars
links to photographs:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Recognition
Larval Chironomidae are typical nematocerous Dipterans,
having a well-developed, exposed, complete, non-retractile head
capsule, with mandibles operating in an oblique to horizontal
plane, and a narrow, elongate, segmented body lacking jointed
thoracic legs. Chironomid larvae may be distinguished from other
nematoceran larvae only by a combination of features: (i) the
spiracles predominantly are absent (apneustic), although the
metapneustic condition (with posterior spiracles only) occurs in
some Podonominae; (ii) the prolegs, which occur on the first
thoracic and terminal abdominal segments, are paired, although
variable fusion and/or reduction occurs, particularly in the
terrestrial species; (iii) the terminal abdominal segment bears
paired procerci, each bearing apically a tuft of setae. In larvae in
which these abdominal features are reduced, differentiation from
larval Ceratopogonidae or Thaumaleidae may be less easy.
Thaumaleid larvae, which have fused anterior prolegs, are
metapneustic and hypognathous (with the mouthparts directed
ventrally), whereas all chironomid larvae are prognathous, with
the mouthparts directed anteriorly. Terrestrial orthocladiine
chironomid larvae may resemble closely some ceratopogonid
larvae. However, the uniquely modified pharynx of ceratopogonid
larvae, consisting of two strongly sclerotised, divergent arms
and a complex of food-sorting combs, contrasts with the poorly
sclerotised and unmodified pharynx of chironomids. A key to
closely related families is provided following this section.
Chironomids have four larval instars (report of a fifth instar in a
tanypod is unreliable). Although morphological and taxonomic
observations are made on the final instar, most structures appear
to be present in earlier instars. However, many features of final
instar larvae, particularly ratios and shapes, do not apply to
earlier instars and do not permit differentiation. Larval
morphology has been considered by numerous authors since
Miall and Hammond (1900), created the framework for modern
interpretation. Many different terminologies have been used,
some congruent with prevailing views of insect morphology,
while others have been more idiosyncratic: the terminology used
in this key follows Sæther’s (1980) detailed assessment of
morphological homology.
The head capsule
The chironomid head capsule predominantly consists of a fully
sclerotised cranium, that comprises a dorsal apotome and a pair
of lateral genae. These three sclerites are separated by ecdysial
lines of weakness, along which the integument may split
during moulting. There is variation between subfamilies in the
splitting at ecdysis: for example, orthoclads and chironomines
open a dorsal flap, with the orthoclads also completing a ventral
split (along the median suture); tanypods often lack the dorsal
splitting. Morphological subdivisions of the dorsal head by
sutures are seen in most Chironomidae: in the most divided state
the clypeus is discrete and up to five labral sclerites lie anterior
to a delimited frontal apotome. Variations include fusion of the
clypeus and frontal apotome to form a frontoclypeal apotome.
In some instances, some or all labral sclerites may become
incorporated into a single frontoclypeolabral apotome.
Homologies of the various patterns of dorsal sclerites is assessed
through recognition of the location of the five anteriormost pairs
of cephalic setae: S1 and S2 lie on the labrum (labral setae), S3
on the clypeus (clypeal setae) and S4 and S5 on the frontal
apotome (frontal setae).
The remainder of the sclerotised head is made up of the genae.
The genae form the ventral and lateral walls, which may extend
to meet dorsal in larvae in which the frontal apotome fails to
contact the postoccipital margin (the posterior margin of the head
capsule) because it is tapered posteriorly. Lying on the genae are
the remaining cephalic setae, S6 (suborbital), S7 (supraorbital),
S8 (parietal) S9, S10 (genal) and S11, S12 (coronal), all located
as their names imply. Variation in the relative placement of these
setae has proved to be of great value in generic recognition within
the Tanypodinae and I refer to this as the “star chart” following
Dostine (pers. com. in jest).
Posterior to the mouthparts, the dominant ventral feature of the
larval head is a plate, which is usually toothed. The terminology
for this plate depends upon hypotheses concerning its origin,
with differing views having given rise to the alternative names
labium and hypostomium (or hypostoma). However, Sæther has
argued convincingly in justifying the term mentum, and he
established that the plate is double-walled and of dual origin.
The two components are a median ventral wall (ventromentum)
and a dorsal wall (dorsomentum) that extends more laterally and
curves dorsally behind the ventromentum. The tanypod
ventromentum is hyaline with the dorsomentum delimited as a
distinct toothed row only in the more phylogenetically basal
genera. Although at first inspection the mentum, especially of
Orthocladiinae and Chironomini, appears to be a single
structure, the line of fusion between the dorsal and ventral
components often can be recognised, for example in Skusella
and relatives.
The lateral or postero-lateral expansions of the mentum, called
paralabial plates by earlier workers, are contiguous extensions
of the ventromentum, and therefore are correctly termed
ventromental plates. Orthocladiine ventromental plates vary from
scarcely indicated to very well developed, as, for example, in
Nanocladius. In the Chironominae, the dorsal (inner) surface of
the ventromental plates is variously striated, often with
attendant hooks and similar structures that give rise to fan-like
plates with highly complex microarchitecture. The counter
surface to the striations of the ventromental plates are on the
cardo of the maxilla, and together the surfaces extrude “spun’
silk that is produced by the salivary glands. In the Orthocladiinae,
the role of the ventromental plates (and perhaps even their
homology to those of the Chironominae) is not understood.
Extrusion of silk is unlikely, since the opening of the salivary
gland is associated with the hypopharynx, within the oral cavity,
rather than associated with the plates. The mentum and
associated ventromental plate morphology allow recognition of
larval chironomid taxa at taxonomic levels from subfamily to
5
species. Terminology for the area of the head capsule posterior
to the mentum is unclear, with the terms gula and submentum
being used for essentially the same structure. The position of
the posterior tentorial pits has been used to mark a boundary
between an anterior submentum and posterior gula, but no
such anterior markers for the submentum have been recognised.
Essentially the posterior mentum grades into a submentum that
extends to the occipital margin. Although the term postmentum
(mentum plus submentum) may be more appropriate, the
frequently differentiated dark sclerotisation justifies the
retention of the term mentum.
The labrum is the anterior extension of the frontal apotome.
Delimitation may be unclear due to fusion of sclerites including
the clypeus; however, the labrum may be recognised by the
presence of labral setae S1 and S2. At its most distinctive, the
labrum comprises two medial sclerites (1 & 2) and 3 lateral
sclerites (3-5). The ventral surface of the labrum is the
epipharynx or palatum, which bears setae, chaetae and scales
and is involved in sensing the anterior environment and in
feeding. Lying astride the suture delimiting the anterior of the
labrum are the posterior-most labral setae, termed SIVA and B.
These are actually paired sensilla basiconica, with SIVA a larger
bisensillum and SIVB the smaller peg, which may be missing.
Anterior to these lie three distinctive pairs of sensilla chaetica.
The usually simple, fine, SIII lie more medial to, and slightly
posterior to, the paired SII setae. The SII also are usually
simple, but may be broadened or even pectinate. The
anteriormost labral setae, the SI, display a range of structure,
from simple to bifid, plumose or pectinate. The shape is often of
phylogenetic significance, particularly in the Orthocladiinae. The
Tanypodinae appear different superficially and an alternative
terminology has been used for many structures, including the
labral setae; however, Sæther (1980a) and Müh (1985)
recognise homologies that permit uniform terminology.
The anterolateral labral margin bears chaetae and
antero-medially there may be a single or divided plate, the labral
lamella(e), overhanging the labral margin. The margin itself
comprises sclerotised structures, including the torma, and
delimits the palatum beneath.
The major features of the ventral labral surface are the
premandibles and palatum. Premandibles are paired, movable
and toothed, and attach ventrally to the tormal bar. They are
lacking in Tanypodinae, Podonominae and Aphroteniinae. The
palatum comprises a median epipharynx, bounded by a U-shaped
ungula and terminating in a basal sclerite. Three groups of scales
or spines occur on the epipharynx: an anteromedian pecten
epipharyngis and lateral and basal chaetulae. The pecten
epipharyngis, is of taxonomic significance: it may be a fused
pectinate plate as in Chironomini, three scales, sometimes
basally fused or even lacking completely in all Tanypodinae.
Amongst the most prominent features of the mouthparts are
paired, articulated mandibles. These operate in an oblique plane
between the labrum and the maxilla, though some wood-mining
larvae have a narrowed labrum and the mandibles thus may
operate in an almost vertical plane. The mandible is toothed,
typically with an outer dorsal tooth, a dominant apical tooth and
a variable number, usually 2-3, inner teeth, although the dorsal
tooth is lost in many taxa. Three setae or groups of setae can be
identified: a comb-like pecten mandibularis on the mesal
subapical surface; a seta subdentalis on the mola internal to the
inner teeth; a branched seta interna basally, usually on the inner
mandibular surface. These setae, in conjunction with those on
the epipharynx, are used to direct food into the mouth.
The maxilla lies dorsolateral to the mentum and comprises a
base of variable breadth bearing a ventrolateral maxillary palp,
dorsomedial galea, and posteromedial lacinia. Detailed
morphological studies on the maxilla by, for example, Strenzke
(1960) and Mozley (1971) have shown that variation in relative
proportions, and distinctive arrangements of setae, sensilla, ring
organs and sometimes combs (pectens) have taxonomic value.
In some Chironomini the lacinia apicomedially bears long setae
directed behind the mentum. Maxillary movement is important
in feeding and particularly in the extension of silk.
Most chironomid larvae have well developed, multi-segmented
antennae placed antero-dorsally on the upper genae. In
Aphroteniinae and some Podonominae the antennae are sited
more mid-dorsally on the head. The antenna is retractile into the
head in all Tanypodinae. If non-retractile, the antenna may be
mounted on a pedestal, which can be elaborated with spines or
combs, or the basal antennal segment may arise directly from
the genae. The primitive segmentation appears to be five, with
variations including reduction to four or three, or an increase
through division to apparently seven segments. In some taxa,
portions of elongate segments may be hyaline and poorly
sclerotised, allowing the antenna to trail rather than act as the
usual anteriorly-directed sensory organ. Terrestrial larvae tend
to show reduction in antennal segment number and length.
Segment homology can be recognised by the consistent
placement of a blade (often accompanied by an auxiliary blade)
at the apex of the first segment, and also by the Lauterborn
organs on the second segment. These paired organs are usually
sited apically and opposite but one may be subapical, and they
may be alternate. These organs are compound, comprising a peg
sensillum and paired, thin-walled, fan-like sensilla, which in
Tanytarsini may be located apically on pedestals. Reduction of
the Lauterborn organs to pegs or styles occurs, notably in
terrestrial taxa.
The head also has internal structures associated with feeding.
The most obvious is the premento-hypopharynx complex, which
lies dorsal to the mentum, and is often partially or completely
obscured in ventral view by the mentum. The complex is double
lobed, consisting of a ventral prementum and dorsal
hypopharynx, with the salivary gland outlet between the lobes.
The hypopharynx is never strongly developed, usually being a
scaly lobe, but with clear rows of teeth in some Tanypodinae.
The prementum is best developed in the Tanypodinae, where it
forms a principal part of the feeding apparatus. In this subfamily,
the median, articulated, toothed plate is the ligula, which is
composed of fused glossae, and bears paired, toothed paraligula
laterally. The M appendage, which lies dorsal to the ligula, is a
hyaline, triangular plate adorned with a median strip, the
pseudoradula, in the Tanypodinae. In other subfamilies all
elements of the prementum are quite differently constructed and
often reduced.
Chironomid larval eyes are typically simple areas of
subcuticular pigment. There are however taxonomic differences
in eye shape: Chironominae larvae the double eye spots have
have double (someties slightly triple) eye spots arranged more
or less vertically, whereas those Orthocladiinae with double spots
have the smaller spot more or less anterior to the larger one: in
and all other subfamilies the eye spot is simple.
6
The larval body
The chironomid larval body is nearly always demarcated into
three somewhat broader thoracic segments, followed by nine
narrower abdominal segments. Pseudosegmentation, giving rise
to an apparent duplication of segments, is seen in some rare
Chironomini. Late fourth instar larva can be recognised by the
swollen thoracic segments with the pharate pupa within: this
thoracic swelling may occur in earlier instars in wood-mining
taxa and in Corynoneura and Thienemanniella. Thoracic and
abdominal segments have a setal pattern which may be
homologous with that of the pupa; however, the use of such
patterns in larval taxonomy is limited to recognition of the
diagnostic value of plumosity of some lateral setae, for example
amongst Cricotopus species (Hirvenoja, 1973). Other
abdominal cuticular features include feathered extensions and
plates in the Aphroteniinae (Brundin, 1966; Cranston and
Edward, 1992).
The only appendages of the thorax are the anterior parapods
which are paired, fleshy, unsegmented, “false legs’ that bear claws
and are placed ventrolateral on the first thoracic segment. Very
similar posterior parapods are found ventrolaterally on the
terminal abdominal segment. Parapods are found in nearly all
chironomid larvae, though they may be partially or completely
fused and even more rarely, parapods and claws may be reduced
or absent, notably in some terrestrial taxa. Pre-anally, the procerci,
which are paired tubercles bearing an apical tuft of setae,
usually are prominent. Lying behind and between the bases of
the posterior parapods, surrounding the terminal anus, are one
to three, but usually two, pairs of anal tubules. Chironomus and
some relatives often have haemolymph-filled abdominal tubules
associated with respiration, which therefore are appropriately
termed tracheal gills. Usually there are two ventral pairs of these
tubules on abdominal segment VIII, and often a lateral pair arise
near the posterior margin of abdominal segment VII. Some few
Podonominae are spiraculate, but all apneustic chironomid
larvae have a tracheal system with an anastomosing structure.
The pupa
links to photographs:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Recognition
The pupal stage of chironomids is short-lived, particularly when
compared to the larval stage. The duration may be for just a few
hours up to several days for long-lived Podonominae. Though
short-lived, the pupal stage involves major changes in
morphology as the larva metamorphoses to the adult.
The pupa is somewhat comma-shaped, with a swollen
cephalothorax and dorsoventrally flattened abdomen. Because
this general shape is very similar to that of pupae of many aquatic
nematoceran families, these are difficult to distinguish by any
individual character or even by concise combinations of
characters. Like the mosquitoes and their relatives, the pupae of
Chironomidae may be free-living, either hanging beneath the
water surface, as in Tanypodinae, Podonominae or mobile in the
benthos, as in the Aphroteniinae. The pupae of the remaining
subfamilies live generally in some kind of tube or covering film
produced by the final instar larva. The paired thoracic
respiratory organs of free-living pupae characteristically are
tubular with a distinctive apical respiratory surface, the plastron
plate. In contrast, tubicolous chironomid pupae have variously
shaped respiratory organs that lack a plastron plate and act as
gills. Features of the terminal abdominal segments assist in
recognition of chironomid pupae, with tergite and sternite IX
being modified as a swimming lobe. The lack of division of the
anal lobe and lack of any supporting buttressing distinguishes
the anal lobe of chironomids from those of most other aquatic
nematocerans.
Although all morphological features are visible on a pupa with
the developing (or fully developed) adult within, they are more
readily seen on a cast pupal skin. The cast skin is known as the
exuviae, a Greek word meaning “cast clothes’ and for which
there is no singular (though contrivances such as exuvia and
exuvium have been coined !).
The pupal cephalothorax
Three areas are distinguishable on the pupa: head (cephalic area),
thorax and abdomen. On the cast exuviae, the cephalic area and
thorax can be treated together as a unit, the cephalothorax.
The emergent adult splits the dorsal pupal thorax together with a
Y-shaped anterior extension around the posterior cephalic area,
which opens as a forward projecting flap. Features of taxonomic
significance on the cephalic area include location, number and
strength of setae on the frons, vertex, postorbit and ocular area
and occurrence of tubercles and warts, particularly on the frons
and prefrons. The number, length and location of paired frontal
setae and whether they arise from tubercles on the head are
variable features of taxonomic significance, particularly in the
Chironomini.
The thorax bears groups of diagnostic setae on the antepronotum
(median and lateral), precorneal, prealar, dorsocentral, supralar
and metanotal areas, whose number and position is of
phylogenetic significance. The wing sheaths, prealar area and
area along the median suture may have species-specific
microsculpturing, including rugosity and tubercles. The most
prominent variable thoracic feature is the respiratory organ,
termed a thoracic horn, which lies mediolaterally on the anterior
thorax. At its most complex (and probably the plesiomorphic
condition), this is a tube directly connected to the developing
adult tracheal system, containing a felt chamber (the tracheal
continuation into the horn) forming the basal part of a
respiratory atrium. The atrium connects distally to the porous
plastron plate which makes direct contact to the aerial
environment at the water surface. The higher phylogeny of the
Chironomidae involves numerous changes in the thoracic horn,
notably loss of the direct contact with the adult spiracle and
reestablishment of a secondary indirect contact. When the
plastron plate is lost, as in some Podonominae and Aphroteniinae,
the remnant inner chamber is termed the atrium or horn sac.
Further loss of the atrium and even of the complete organ occurs
in some Orthocladiinae. Elaboration of the simple tracheal gill
is found in Chironominae in which the structure is
multifilamentous and plumose. In some few Orthocladiinae there
may be no evidence of a thoracic horn and some terrestrial
orthoclads clearly rely exclusively on cuticular respiration.
The arrangement of leg sheaths can be very diagnostic amongst
the Nematocera. In the Chironomidae, each leg sheath is
separate, and the predominant patterns are either for all leg sheaths
to be recurved under the wing sheath, or with only the hind leg
sheath recurved. However, the leg sheath organisation includes
virtually every pattern seen amongst Nematocera.
7
The pupal abdomen
The abdomen is highly and specifically variable in its patterns
of distribution of spines, spinules and tubercles. These patterns
are particularly strongly elaborated in tubicolous pupae, with
free-living pupae less obviously adorned. This tergal pattern is
often called shagreen, but the term probably should be restricted
to granulation (rounded tubercles) rather than spinules. The term
“armament” is also used to describe the spine/spinule/hooklet
pattern. There are few shared elements to the patterns, but
generalisations can be made.
On each tergite there are three primary fields of posteriorlydirected cuticular projections: an anterior transverse band, a
median quadrate patch and a posterior transverse band. In
addition, on some segments there is an apical transverse band
just posterior to the posterior band, the points, hooks or spinules
of which are directed forwards. Between these last two bands is
a narrow band of thin cuticle that allows the apical band to be
tucked under the posterior of the tergite.
Each field may be medially separated into two blocks. Though
such a pattern will be repeated on successive tergites, there is no
correlation between fields on a tergite: only one of them may be
divided, or any combination of them. Amalgamation and
reduction of one or more fields also occurs; the reduction may
be in the overall extent of the field, or in the density of the
armament. The fields are generally best developed on the third
and fourth tergites, diminishing in extent and strength posteriorly.
Frequently tergite II has a pattern that is different from that of
the following segments, but tergite I is rarely embellished. In
addition, the paratergites frequently are armed but usually more
weakly than the tergites. A variety of points and spines may occur
in each of the fields.
Similar fields of cuticular projections occur also on the sternites.
In some species there are anterior and/or posterior transverse
rows or bands of long spines, although these are usually less
strongly developed than on the tergites. The parasternites also
may be armed with points and spines.
The abdominal segments have a basic 5 pairs of dorsal setae, 5
of ventral setae and 4 lateral setae, of which some may be taeniate
(filamentous). Close to the intersegmental membranes, or
conjunctives, between segments there are often minute
“O”-setae. In many Podonominae setae on segment VIII and the
anal lobe may be bent sharply twice, the so-called “wavy’ setae.
Chironominae pupae usually bear a characteristic and often
specifically diagnostic spur or comb on the posterolateral of
sternite VIII.
The pupal legs are not used in locomotion; locomotion derives
from abdominal flexion. In tubicolous species locomotory (or
undulatory) structures include the two types of “false legs’, the
pedes spurii A and B. The pedes spurii A are paired swellings
posterolaterally situated on some sternites, particularly IV, with
each swelling crowned by whorls of spines. Pedes spurii B are
swellings on the posterolateral corner of segments II, and
sometimes III, and are also non-muscular.
The posterior segment(s) are modified as an anal lobe, formed
from the paratergites of several posterior segments. The anal
lobe is undulated in the tube to provide respiratory current and
in swimming to the water surface at emergence. Variations range
from the near fusion of tergites VIII and IX into a unique,
subcircular, terminal disc in the Telmatogetoninae to flattened
paratergites fringed with elongate taeniate (filamentous) setae in
the anal lobe of many Orthocladiinae and virtually all
Chironominae. Terrestrial Orthocladiinae have little or no such
specialised development of the anal segments.
8
Identification of larval Chironomidae
Larval Chironomidae can be recognised and distinguished from other aquatic Diptera larvae by the characters used in the MDFRC
workshop key (February 1995) which should be consulted.
Generally chironomid larvae have paired anterior and posterior parapods bearing claws.
Distinguishing Chironomidae from Ceratopogonidae is particularly difficult: the key necessarily separates them in multiple ways.
Problems arise particularly with the terrestrial and semiterrestrial Chironomidae, in which procerci and parapods may be
reduced in such a way as to resemble certain Ceratopogonidae.
Key to subfamilies of Chironomidae
Larvae*
1
-
2
3
Antenna retractile into head (Fig. 3a). Hypopharynx with distinctive toothed ligula (Fig. 3b). Mentum usually weakly
sclerotised
Tanypodinae
Antenna non-retractile (Fig. 3c). Ligula never developed as in Tanypodinae. Mentum nearly always a sclerotised toothed
plate (e.g. Fig. 3d,e)
2
Mentum associated with variably developed but always broad, and nearly always striated, ventromental plates (Fig. 3d)
[Exceptionally Stenochironomus (Fig. 3e) and Harrisius lack striations, but some hooks are present]
Chironominae
Mentum with, at most, relatively small, non-striate ventromental plates (e.g. Fig. 4b, c)
3
-
Mentum untoothed (Fig. 3g). Sensory setae of anterior labrum elongate (Fig. 3g). Body covered with tubercles and hairs
(Fig. 3h)
Aphroteniinae
Mentum nearly always toothed. Labral setae small. Body cuticle smooth but may be strongly setose
4
4
-
Premandibles absent
Premandibles present (Fig. 4e)
5
Second or second/third antennal segments often annulate (Fig. 3i). Procercus predominantly elongate, many times as long
as wide (Fig. 3j)
Podonominae
Antenna non-annulate. Procercus absent
Buchonomyiinae (not Australian)
6
-
5
6
Central ligula and lateral paraligulae of prementum resembling 3 brushes (Fig. 3k). Third antennal segment often annulate
Diamesinae
No annulate antennal segments. Prementum never developed as three brushes, although single median brush
(M-appendage) may be present (Fig. 4d)
7
7
-
Ventromental plates elongate, with beard beneath (Fig. 4a)
Ventromental plates variable; if large (Fig. 4b,c), then never bearded
8
Prementum with brush-like M appendage divided into many fine branches, lying ventral to the mentum (Fig. 4d).
Premandible short and broad with strong inner brush (Fig. 4e). Antenna short, distinctly 4-segmented (Fig. 4f)
Telmatogetoninae
No brush-like development of prementum. Premandibular brush absent or weak. If the antenna is 4-segmented and
short (less than half mandible length), then the apical segmentation is indistinct
Orthocladiinae
-
Prodiamesinae (not Australian)
8
*Larvae of Chilenomyiinae unknown, Buchonomyiinae based upon penultimate instar only.
Key to subfamilies of Chironomidae
Pupae
1
2
-
Anal lobe comprising tergites VIII and IX fused into a circular disc, fringed with short hair-like spines around posterior disk
(Fig. 5a)
Telmatogetoninae
Anal lobe comprising segment IX alone (Fig. 5b,c)
2
Anal lobe fringed with setae but lacking more distinctive macrosetae (Fig. 5c). Postero-lateral corner of segment VIII
usually with spur or comb (Fig. 5d,e). Thoracic horn often complex, bi- to multibranched, often plumose, simple only in
tribes Tanytarsini and some Pseudochironomini
Chironominae
Anal lobe with or without setal fringe; if fringed, then nearly always 3 distinctive macrosetae apical / subapical among the
fringe (Fig. 5f). Posterolateral corner of segment VIII without comb or spur. Thoracic horn simple or absent, never twobranched from base or plumose
3
9
3
4
Thoracic horn present (except when damaged, when remnant of stem often visible), with horn sac (Fig. 5g) and usually
plastron (Fig. h)
4
Thoracic horn, when present, without horn sac or plastron (Fig. 5p)
5
-
Two pairs of frontal setae (Fig. 5j). Some lateral and anal lobe setae may be “wavy’ (Fig. 5i). Sheaths of fore- and mid-legs
straight, terminating beside recurved hind-leg sheath at apex of wing sheath
Podonominae
One pair of frontal setae. No “wavy” setae. All leg sheaths recurved beneath wing sheath
Tanypodinae
5
-
Thoracic horn very elongate, at least half length of thorax (Fig. 5k)
Thoracic horn variable but never as long as half thorax
6
Anal lobe with posterolateral spurs, 4-6 posterolateral setae and 7-8 pairs of anal macrosetae (Fig. 5l). Fore and mid
leg sheaths extend directly backward, hind leg sheath recurved beneath wing sheath. Thoracic horn absent
Buchonomyiinae (not Australian)
Anal lobe never with posterolateral spurs or such an arrangement of setae and macrosetae. Leg sheaths variably arranged;
fore- and mid-leg sheaths straight and directed posteriorly only in Diamesinae (Fig. 5o). Thoracic horn typically present,
very variable in shape
7
-
7
-
8
-
Aphroteniinae
6
Dorsomedian area of thorax with 3 setae, dc3 typically in supra-alar position, dc4 absent (Fig.5m), or all dorsocentral setae
absent. Fore- and mid-leg sheaths extend directly backward, hind-leg sheath recurved beneath wing sheath (Fig. 5n) or
(tribe Harrisonini) also directed backward (Fig.5o)
Diamesinae
Dorsomedial area of thorax with 4 setae, with neither dc3 or dc4 in supra-alar position. Typically leg sheaths recurved
beneath wing sheath; exceptions never like Diamesinae
8
Thoracic horn with indirect connection to adult spiracle (Fig. 5p). Anal lobe with either (i) full fringe of long setae and
usually 4-5 marginal macrosetae or (ii) 3 marginal macrosetae or (3) short fringe and 2 small median setae. Tergite II without
hookrow; no tergites with transverse bands of stronger spines.
Prodiamesinae (not Australian)
Thoracic horn without connection to adult spiracle. Anal lobe quite variable: with or without fringe, usually with 0 or 3
macrosetae, when with more macrosetae, then tergite II with hookrow and/or tergites spinose
Orthocladiinae
The Australian Telmatogetoninae
The Telmatogetoninae is a species-poor subfamily represented world-wide by marine littoral shore species and in Hawa’ii by several
taxa that have regained freshwater, living in the splash zone of waterfalls.
Telmatogeton can be recognised from the subfamily key and illustrations. Two species of the genus have been reported in Australia
with japonicus widely distributed and the other, australicus, apparently more limited to the south and south-eastern coast.
Collecting has been sporadic since most entomologists do not look for insects on the marine shore.
Larvae have been found on most Australian coasts in suitable habitats, but there are too few associations to assess the number of
species, or the differences between them. At Long Beach, central NSW, two species of larvae co-occurred.
In the Holarctic region Telmatogetoninae larvae are found in large numbers where freshwater seepages allow the development of
Enteromorpha beds between the upper and lower tidal levels. In these areas the larvae form tubes that are defended by agonistic
behaviour. There are strong pupal modifications associated with this fighting. In Australia the larvae can also be found on open rock
platforms at mid-tidal levels.
10
Key to genera of Australian Podonominae
Larvae*
1
-
Procercus bulbous with procercal setae reduced to very short apical crown
Procercus conventionally elongate with well developed procercal setae
Podonomopsis
2
2
-
Terminal abdominal segment with posterolateral pad of dorsally directed spines
Terminal abdominal segment without such spines
3
-
Spiracles present on abdominal segment VIII. Procercus stout, less than twice as long as wide. Procercus dark posteriorly,
pale anteriorly
Archaeochlus
Spiracles absent. Procercus elongate, up to five times as long as wide. Procercus unicoloured
4
4
-
Median mental tooth broader and higher than first and subsequent lateral teeth
Median mental tooth subequal in breadth and height to first and subsequent lateral teeth
Podochlus
3
Parochlus
Podonomus
Pupae*
1
-
Abdominal segments with postero-lateral projections
Abdominal segments without postero-lateral projections
2
-
Anal lobe with 2 wavy setae
Anal lobe with more than 2 wavy setae
3
Anal lobe rounded posteriorly. Segment VIII with wavy lateral setae placed on prominent elevated lobe, separated posteriorly
from paratergite
Podonomopsis
Anal lobe terminating in “mace”-like spines or single spine. Lateral setae of segment VIII either fine on paratergite or if
wavy on lateral lobe, lobe contiguous with segment
4
-
4
-
2
3
Parochlus
Podonomus
Thoracic horn with stem subequal in length to dominant plastron, without marginal spines. Segment VIII with lateral setae
fine, placed on normal paratergite
Archaeochlus
Thoracic horn ovoid to elongate without distinct plastron, with marginal spinules. Segment VIII with lateral setae, some
wavy, on elevated lateral margin of paratergite
Podochlus
Rheochlus unknown
Comments on Podonominae
This subfamily was monographed in detail by Brundin (1966), with some additional details concerning Archaeochlus deriving from
Cranston et al. (1987).
Archaeochlus is known from hygropetric seepages on the granite outcrops of western and central Australia, as well as from
somewhat similar localities in southern Africa. Two species in addition to A. brundini Cranston, Edward and Colless occur on
Western Australia outcrops, with one species present in the ranges of central Australia.
Podonomopsis is the common genus in mid to upland streams in Southeast Australia, as far north as higher elevations in
Queensland, and also in southern Western Australia. P. discoceros Brundin, P. evansi Brundin and perhaps one undescribed species
occur but the larvae of these species have not yet been separated. Podonomopsis spp. are common in winter, found only in summer
in montane Tasmania.
Parochlus is represented by Parochlus bassianus Brundin which although described from Tasmanian lotic waters, has been found in
axillary water in Tasmania. The congener, P. rieki, is known only from an adult from montane eastern Australia.
Podochlus is represented by australiensis, found only in southern NSW streams, including intermittent Cave Creek (Kosciusko
N.P.), and tasmaniensis, from Tasmania. Both are “winter-only” taxa.
Podonomopsis discoceros is somewhat pollution tolerant: all other Podonominae appear sensitive to elevated temperatures, nutrient
levels and to reduced oxygen.
Podonomus immature stages are known from alpine streams in Kosciusko N.P. P. collessi described from upland S.E. Australia, P.
derwentensis from Tasmania.
Rheochlus is known in Australia from adults only, collected in IX.1956 from Middle Creek, Narrabeen. The genus is otherwise
known only from 2 Chilean species, also adults.
11
Distribution in New South Wales (and ACT) as follows:
Parochlus: P. rieki as an adult from Naas Creek (ACT) in winter.
Podochlus: P. australiensis in southern NSW streams, including intermittent Cave Creek (Kosciusko N.P.) in winter.
Podonomopsis: P. discoceros widespread in Brindabella creeks and frequent elsewhere in winter (in montane Tasmania in summer).
P. evansi a similar, but perhaps wider distribution: in Dividing Range streams in winter, spring and early summer.
Podonomopsis unidentified to species occur as far north as the Warrumbungles in mid-winter.
Subfamily APHROTENIINAE
(see linked paper)
Subfamily TANYPODINAE
Key to genera of Tanypodinae
Larva
1
-
Body segments bearing longitudinal lateral dense setal fringe. Dorsomentum distinct, toothed
Body segments lacking setal fringe. Dorsomentum indistinct, not toothed.
2
-
Dorsomental teeth not aligned on plate. Mandible strongly hooked, with large basal tooth
Dorsomental teeth at margin of plate. Mandible straight to curved, never hooked
3
-
Dorsomentum a complete arc of subequally sized teeth amongst which median appendage is not demarcate
Dorsomental teeth interrupted medially by variably broad pale median appendage
4
-
Pecten hypopharyngis absent. Mandible squat, with very expanded base and short apical tooth
Pecten hypopharyngis present. Mandible longer and more slender
5
-
Mandible with multiple spine-like teeth on mesal surface. without distinct basal tooth
Mandible without subapical spine-like teeth
6
-
Ligula with point of inner distinctly curved outwards; paraligula bifid. Mandible with weak basal tooth Apsectrotanypus
Ligula with middle teeth anteriorly directed or slightly curved inwards; paraligula with two or more inner spines. Mandible
with large, blunt basal tooth.
7
7
Antennal blade extending well beyond apex of flagellum. Bases of anterior parapods connected by region of fine hooklets
Djalmabatista
Antennal blade not extending beyond flagellum. Anterior parapods not connected by spinose area
8
8
2
tribe Pentaneurini 9
Clinotanypus
3
Coelopynia
4
Tanypus
5
Fittkauimyia
6
-
Ligula completely mid-brown, all teeth even-lengthed; paraligula an elongate spine with two medio-ventrally directed basal
spines
“Anatopynia” pennipes
Ligula with brown teeth, pale basally, median tooth shorter than laterals; paraligula multi-toothed
Procladius
9
-
Base of maxillary palp divided
Base of maxillary palp undivided
10
-
One or more claws of posterior leg darker than remainder. Basal palp segment may be divided into >2 sections; if only 2
sections, then membranous part anterior to basal 1/3
Ablabesmyia
All hind proleg claws yellow. Membranous division of maxillary palp about 1/3 from base
11
11
-
Submentum with seta S9 linearly aligned with SSm and S10, with VP lying more posterolateral
Submentum with S9 more or less aligned with VP and SSm, with S10 lying anterior to VP
12
-
Inner teeth of ligula apically curved outwards
Inner teeth of mentum directed anteriorly or slightly inwards
13
-
Second antennal segment annulate
Second antennal segment non-annulate
10
12
Paramerina
Pentaneurini genus C
13
14
Austropelopia
Thienemannimyia
12
14
15
-
Apex of the second antennal segment with Lauterborn organ elongate, subequal in length to the third segment, appearing
like a two-pronged apex. Second antennal segment dark
Monopelopia
Apex of second antennal segment without well developed Lauterborn organ. Second antennal pale
15
Ligula with middle tooth larger than inner teeth. Submentum with setae (S9, S10 and SSm) and VP linearly arranged with
SSm distantly posterior to anterior group
Nilotanypus
Ligula with middle tooth subequal or shorter than inner. Submental setae and VP variously arranged, never linear; SSm
closer to S9, S10, SSm
16
16
-
Gula and submentum smooth, unsculptured. Submentum with setae S9 anterior to VP, S10 antero-lateral to VP
Gula and submentum sculptured (creased). Submentum with seta S10 generally postero-lateral to VP
17
-
S10 placed lateral to slightly postero-lateral to VP
S10 distinctly posterior to VP
18
-
Mola at base of seta subdentalis strongly projecting, triangular
Mola at base of seta subdentalis gently rounded.
19
Teeth of ligula abruptly darker brown than yellow basal part. Gula and submentum with elongate “creases” (bands of paler
cuticle). Angle subtended by S9, VP, SSd greater than 90º
?Telmatopelopia
Teeth of ligula scarcely darker than and not strongly delimited from mid-brown basal part. Gula and submentum with short
“creases” (bands of paler cuticle). Angle subtended by S9, VP, SSd less than 90º
Pentaneurini genus D
-
20
-
Larsia
17
18
20
Pentaneurini “ST1”
19
Gula and submentum with many short transverse “creases” (bands of paler cuticle). S9 lying medial to VP
Pentaneurini genus A
Gula and submentum with few longer transverse “creases” (bands of paler cuticle). S9 lying directly anterior to VP
Pentaneurini genus B
Key to genera of Tanypodinae
Pupa
1
-
Outer margin of anal lobe densely fringed. Thoracic comb absent
Outer margin of anal lobe at most serrate. Thoracic comb often present
2
6
2
-
Segments II-VII with lateral hair fringe. Thoracic horn strongly expanded from narrow base, broadest at three-quarters
length, then abruptly curved
Fittkauimyia
No abdominal hair fringe. Thoracic horn different
3
3
-
Filamentous lateral setae of anal lobe inserted within anterior fringe
Filamentous lateral setae of anal lobe inserted anterior to fringe
4
-
Thoracic horn lumen containing narrow, convoluted respiratory atrium
Thoracic horn atrium virtually fills lumen
5
-
Dorsal abdominal setae long, taeniate, arising from prominent tubercles. Margin of plastron plate sinuous
Dorsal abdominal setae short, non-taeniate, non-tuberculate. Margin of plastron plate ovoid
6
-
Segments IV-VII with lateral fringe of hairs. Anal lobes squat, no more than twice as long as wide
No lateral hair fringe. Anal lobes rounded or elongate, at least twice as long as wide
7
-
Anal lobe terminating in pronounced tubercle. Thoracic horn slender
Anal lobe apically rounded. Thoracic horn bulbous
8
-
Anal lobe outwardly rounded, combined lobes forming almost semi-circular paddle. Thoracic comb absent
Anal lobe elongate, more or less triangular. Thoracic comb present or absent
9
-
Thoracic comb absent. Tergites covered in longish, upright, multi-branched spinules
Thoracic comb present. Tergal spinules small, simple or aligned in short rows, not multi-branched
10
-
Thoracic horn lacks plastron and corona
Thoracic horn with small plastron in centre of large corona
11
-
Thoracic horn bulbous to ovoid, with respiratory atrium filling almost entire lumen cavity, plastron very small
Thoracic horn elongate, generally with plastron and with respiratory atrium not completely filling lumen.
Clinotanypus
4
Alotanypus
5
Apsectrotanypus
Coelopynia
7
8
Djalmabatista
Tanypus
Procladius
9
10
11
“Thienemannimyia”
Hayesomyia
12
13
13
12
-
Thoracic comb with elongate teeth, up to five times as long as wide. Thoracic horn with lumen homogeneous
Ablabesmyia
Thoracic comb with shorter teeth, no more than three times as wide. Thoracic horn with linear to interrupted spirals of
darker material within
Pentaneurini genus C
13
-
Thoracic horn respiratory atrium with many narrow tubular lobes
Thoracic horn atrium either unlobed or with few broad lobes
14
Segment VII without taeniate setae; sternite VIII with posterior transverse row of stronger spinules. Male genital sacs
much longer than anal lobe
Nilotanypus
Segment VII with 4 taeniate setae; sternite VIII without row of spinules. Male genital sacs subequal to shorter than anal
lobe
15
-
Larsia
14
15
-
Thoracic horn plastron lacking surrounding corona
Thoracic horn with distinct corona (pale area surrounding plastron)
16
-
Respiratory atrium lobose apically. Thoracic comb comprising several longer blunt teeth
Respiratory atrium tubular. Thoracic comb comprising few short, bluntly triangular teeth
17
-
Plastron plate of thoracic horn with faint, fine, surface patterning
Plastron plate of thoracic horn with distinct, coarser, surface patterning
18
Thoracic horn rather squat, narrow basally, broader towards apex; plastron plate about 40% of thoracic horn length,
apicolaterally placed. Tergal shagreen of small, broad-based, thorn-like spines
Pentaneurini genus D
Thoracic horn more tubular, not distinctly broadened apically; plastron plate more apically placed and no more than 25%
of thoracic horn length. Tergal shagreen of fine hair-like spines
19
-
19
-
Thoracic horn spinose in basal half, smooth apically
Thoracic horn spinose to apex
16
17
Pentaneurini genus B
genus nr Telmatopelopia
Austropelopia
18
Paramerina
Pentaneurini genus A
Comments on the Tanypodinae genera
Procladius
Procladius is a taxonomic mess, as it is everywhere. Intraspecific variation is very high and large samples from the Alligator Rivers
region (N.T.) suggests that in Australia geographic ecophenotypic responses have been ignored and species have been segregated
and described from small, rapidly developing, eurythermic forms. No account has been taken of allometry associated with sizedependent characters. The paludicola and villosimanus types are clearly distinct from each other, squamifer is distinct as pupa and
adult (larva unknown) but the evidence for more species needs careful scrutiny. Attempts to resolve the taxonomy of the genus in the
Holarctic region have consistently failed.
Key to Procladius species
Larva
1
-
Posterior parapods include 1 or 2 high “arched” claws. Larger species
Posterior parapods lack “arched” claws. Smaller species
villosimanus
paludicola
Pupa
1
-
Exuviae overall dark brown; thorax strongly rugulose, particularly on wing sheaths
Exuviae pale/hyaline; thorax weakly rugulose to smooth, wing sheath smooth
2
-
Exuviae large, with dark apophyses and with abdominal D setae arising from pigmented spots (Fig. 17G)
Exuviae smaller, translucent with pale apophyses, with D setae arising from hyaline membrane
squamifer
2
villosimanus
paludicola
Procladius squamifer is common (as a pupa) in NSW lowland, sand-bedded rivers (e.g. Shoalhaven at Warri Bridge) and seems to
be the dominant species in the shaded streams of far North Queensland rainforest. I cannot separate the larva from the common, and
co-occurring P. paludicola.
Procladius paludicola is everywhere, lotic and lentic, polluted and pristine. Common in Western Australia.
Procladius villosimanus on the evidence available to me is primarily lentic and southern: my only NSW record is from Lake
Eucumbene. I haven’t seen any from Western Australia yet.
14
Djalmabatista
Djalmabatista is very similar in the larval stage to Procladius although the pupa is particularly distinctive. The continuous band of
anterior parapod spinules separates easily. The genus, known previously from south America and southern USA, seems to be
represented by one species in Australia, is distributed from NT to the Murray drainage billabongs. Djalmabatista seems to partition
from Procladius, in selecting sandy substrates in broad, shallow, sandy-bedded, warm rivers. From NSW I have records from the
Deua, Molonglo and several sites on the Shoalhaven.
Clinotanypus
Clinotanypus is represented by one northern species, crux, and an undescribed species from the Murray drainage. Eurythermic and
organic pollution tolerant.
Coelopynia
Coelopynia has been studied in some detail by Vince Pettigrove and seems to be represented by one relatively polymorphic species,
pruinosa, widespread throughout the continent.
Western Australian records include the Fortescue River, Millstream and adult to light at Kalumburu (Kimberley).
Tanypus
Tanypus is found only in the north, where a few specimens have been found in warm billabongs on the Magela floodplain. It isn’t
yet clear whether this is a described Oriental species or new to science. Not found in NSW yet, though inland, summer warm
shallow pools may be expected to support the northern species.
Fittkauimyia
Fittkauimyia is represented by the Indo-oriental species disparipes, until recently thought to be limited to a few floodplain billabongs
and creeks in northern N.T. There is one record from Robe River, north-western W.A. Now however, it has been found in New South
Wales in a summer-warm pool in Yadboro River (35º19’S 150º12’E) and site #N67 (Nepean River, 33º52’S 150º38’E). It appears
to be very tolerant of organic pollution and is clearly acidophilic in Rockhole Mine Creek, N.T.
Apsectrotanypus
Apsectrotanypus is the correct placement for many, if not all species previously referred to as “Macropelopia” by e.g. Freeman
(1960). All three species appear to show a southern “Gondwanan”-type distribution (ie south-east and cold stenothermic) with no
records from the north. Ecologically they prefer acid and humic conditions (Tasmanian button grass swamps a speciality) but also
are found in lotic conditions. I have reared material of all three species but cannot yet separate the immature stages with certainty.
All three species are likely in appropriate streams and pools in NSW.
Alotanypus
Alotanypus seems to be the correct generic placement for dalyupensis, reared from Lake Edward in South Australia and known also
from southern West Australia.
Pentaneurini
Ablabesmyia
Ablabesmyia is a widely distributed genus, readily recognised by the two/three dark claws amongst the dominant yellow ones on the
posterior parapod. Roback examined the genus but the material available to him didn’t allow him to determine whether there were
2, 3 or 4 species in the material available to him. A. notabilis is widespread. A. hilli was thought to be restricted to hotter areas from
Ashburton River (W.A.) to northern Queensland and PNG.
The long known larval species with a multi-segmented maxillary palp which Rod Hardwick has from the Blue Mountains has turned
out on rearing also to belong to A. hilli - a remarkable southern extension to the distribution.
Austropelopia (was Pentaneura)
(see linked paper)
Hayesomyia
I’m using this name for two species, both apparently rare, that key to this genus in the Holarctic guide. The genus was separated
from the well-known Conchapelopia, and our species appear closer to Hayesomyia than to any of the other genera in the
Conchapelopia-complex. Species A was drawn from specimens from somewhere in NSW (no longer in ANIC collections
apparently); species B is from Western Australia, in the Fortescue River at Millstream N.P. The larva is unknown for both species.
15
Larsia
Larsia is very frequent throughout the continent, occurring in warm streams and rivers, especially where they run over sand. The
common species appears to be identical with Larsia albiceps described by Johannsen from Sumatra. I’m still trying to work out the
life history association of a second species, distinctive as a pupa, that appears frequently in Rockhole Creek, NT. The genus is very
common in sandy bedded streams and rivers throughout Western Australia, with the pupal second species present in the Kimberley.
L. albiceps is very common in sandy bedded streams and rivers such as the Shoalhaven, Deua etc.
Monopelopia
Monopelopia is included based on unreared larvae from River Murray billabongs between Ryans and Red Tank.
Nilotanypus
Nilotanypus turns out to be very abundant and widespread in sandy-bedded streams and rivers. One species was found by Zavrel in
Sumatra which might be the same as the one Australian species. Found throughout Western Australian rivers and creeks.
Paramerina
Paramerina is amongst the commonest lotic tanypodines, with levidensis appearing widespread. A second species parva was
erected by Roback (1982) for a small northern species - this may indeed be distinct from the larger southern levidensis.
A “form” of levidensis with a dark pigmented posterior head is associated with a pupa that I cannot separate from levidensis and, at
present, should be treated as such. P. levidensis seems to be the commonest Pentaneurini in NSW running waters, and is tolerant of
organic loadings. The common Western Australian species has some serrate claws on the posterior parapod and clearly is distinct
from levidensis. Another species is found in treeholes in northern Queensland rainforest.
Telmatopelopia
I’m using this name for a taxon that turned up in acid-impacted Rock Hole Mine creek. It keys to this rare Holarctic genus, but I’m
not convinced that it is congeneric. It has also turned up in Barbers Creek, Tallong, on the NSW tablelands.
Thienemannimyia-group
A species of the Thienemannimyia group of genera is known from Arnhem Land Escarpment rivers and creeks. Although I used the
name for a taxon from NSW, it seems that this is actually a distinct type, Pentaneurini genus D (see below).
Pentaneurini genus A
Pentaneurini genus A is widespread in south-eastern rivers and appears to be pollution tolerant (one of the first chironomids to
return to the Molonglo River below Captains’ Flat mine discharge). A pupal exuviae from the Corang River, Morton N.P. (NSW)
keys to this genus but differs in having a very small plastron plate (no wider than the stem of the plate).
Pentaneurini genus B
Pentaneurini genus B was restricted to the Brisbane River and to one record from Rockhole Mine Creek, but AWT now have it from
one site (E1054, edge, 24.iii.1993).
Pentaneurini genus C
Pentaneurini genus C was found originally in Tasmania, in button grass swamps and associated creek drainages in the north-east of
the island. Recently found in peat swamps in Karri forest, Western Australia (P. Horwitz, pers. comm.), and discovered amongst
exuviae taken from peaty surface waters on Wingecarribbee Swamp (NSW).
Pentaneurini genus D
Pentaneurini genus D closely resembles Nilotanypus as a pupa, but differs in the pupal abdomen and in its ecology. The larva, now
reared by Hardwick, had been confused with Thienemannimyia. Seems to be restricted to low-order montane and submontane
creeks of the south-east (whereas Nilotanypus is eurythermic).
Pentaneurini genus E **not in keys
Pentaneurini genus E was segregated as a larva with a narrow, elongate four-toothed ligula. The distinctive ventral setal arrangement
with S10, the pit and SSm transversely aligned, confirmed that this was not a previously known animal with an aberrant four-toothed
ligula. All larvae from several localities in south-western Western Australia possessed this characteristic ligula. However, some
recent material from NSW, otherwise identical in every detail, have the ligula mostly four but sometimes five-toothed. The pupa is
of the Paramerina type.
NSW sites: Basket Swamp (2152) and Tin Swamp Creek (2175)
Western Australian evidence is for acidophily.
16
Pentaneurini genus ST1
This taxon is based on two unreared larvae with a distinctive “star chart”, very creased head and large protruding mola bearing the
seta interna. Distribution: NSW: Katoomba area, 33º41’30’S 150º23.30’E, Blue Mts Creek, 20.xi.1992; Vic: unlabeled locality in
East Gippsland.
The Australian Diamesinae
This predominantly Holarctic subfamily is represented in Australia by the genus Paraheptagyia. Brundin (1966) recognised 2
species, tasmaniae and tonnoiri, the latter being quite abundant in SE Australia. Hergstrom described several more species from
South Australia in her unpublished thesis: I have been unable to validate these taxa.
Paraheptagyia can be recognised from the subfamily key and illustrations.
The immature stages are known only for P. tonnoiri, a species that lacks the characteristic diamesine annulate third antennal
segment. The very bold dark collar seems to be a distinctive generic character, but specimens occur that are otherwise identical but
lack this collar. None have been reared, even to pupa, so their identity remains a mystery.
The larvae are abundant in spring on thin water films (the hygropetric zone) in mid to upper elevations in streams of eastern
Australia, as far north as southern Queensland. I have not seen Diamesinae from Western Australia.
In eastern Australia, the distribution is as follows:
Gibraltar Falls and other ACT montane creeks, numerous in spring; Cave Creek (Kosciusko N.P.), Brown Mountain (Dividing
Range), few in spring. Seems intolerant of organic pollution and elevated temperatures.
Key to genera of Australian Orthocladiinae
Larvae
1
-
Procercus present, apically bearing procercal setae. Parapods may be fused basally but always are distinct, with claws
2
Procercus absent, although procercal setae may indicate the site. Parapods may be reduced in size, absent or fused; claws
usually present
26
2
-
Mentum with setae lying either beneath outer ventromental plate or on membrane lateral to mentum.
Without setae lateral to mentum
3
-
Premandible with strong brush. SI seta simple. Setae lateral to mentum quite stout, include some branched
Premandible without brush. SI seta bifid. Setae of beard fine, sparse, always simple
4
-
Ventromental plate well developed, extending laterally beyond lateral margin of outermost tooth of mentum
5
Ventromental plate weaker to indistinguishable, never extending beyond lateral margin of outermost mental tooth (how
ever, may extend postero-lateral to darkened base of outermost tooth)
7
5
Antenna four segmented with apical two segments very short. Mandible with narrow apical tooth, small first inner, then
two strong triangular innermost teeth
Psectrocladius
Antenna five or six segmented. Mandible not as above. Apical antennal segment fine and elongate
6
6
Ventromental plate extending lateral but posteriorly only indistinctly extended beyond base of outermost mental tooth
Parakiefferiella
Ventromental plate extending strongly lateral and posterior to base of outermost mental tooth
Nanocladius
7
8
-
3
4
Botryocladius
Rheocricotopus
Antenna about half head length or longer
8
Antenna shorter than half head length
10
Apical antennal segment narrow and elongate, whip-like, second antennal segment basally hyaline. No basi-ventral spine
on posterior parapod
Stictocladius
Apical antennal segment short, never whip-like. All antennal segments fully sclerotised. Basi-ventral spine present on
posterior parapod
9
9
-
Antenna four segmented, longer than head
Antenna five segmented, slightly longer than half length of head
10
Mentum with six or eight teeth in total; median pair large and separated by broadly V-shaped notch. Antennal blade
extends beyond antennal apex
11
Mentum with > 6 teeth, medially either single, or median pair never so large and broadly separated. Antennal blade rarely
extends beyond antennal apex
12
-
Corynoneura
Thienemanniella
17
11
-
Mentum with six teeth. Antenna four-segmented, with 2-3 much shorter than very elongate blade
Austrobrillia
Mentum with eight teeth. Antenna five segmented with elongate fine fifth reaching close to apex of blade
“SO4” (was “Stictocladius, part”)
12
-
Premental setae apically branched; maxillary setae similarly branched
Premental and maxillary setae simple
13
-
Ventromental plates with complex sinuous sclerotisation
Ventromental plates simple, linear, or curved postero-laterally
14
Ventromental plate extending basal or baso-lateral to outer mental tooth, posterior to base of outermost tooth. Fourth
antennal segment much longer than third
Parametriocnemus
Sinuous ventromental plate aligned posterior to lateral mental teeth, well medial to outer teeth. Fourth antennal segment
subequal to third
“SO1”
-
15
Pirara
13
14
15
-
Mentum with medio-lateral paired lobes extending in horizontal plane (these may be curiously developed ventromental
plates)
16
Mentum otherwise, never with such paired lobes
17
16
-
Paired median mental teeth strongly protruding anteriorly.
Paired median mental teeth not protruding beyond line of slope of remaining mental teeth
17
-
Ventromental plate with dark, heavily sclerotised base, appearing like a “ledge” postero-lateral to base of outermost mental
tooth
18
Ventromental plate not developed as above, always more or less hyaline
20
18
-
Body setation very long (each segment bearing setae as long as segment)
Body setation much shorter, not half length of segment
Paralimnophyes
19
19
-
Mandible with three inner teeth. Supra-anal seta elongate, about as long as anal setae
Mandible with four inner teeth. Supra-anal seta short, no more than 1/3 length of anal setae
Limnophyes
Compterosmittia
20
-
Mentum with four lateral teeth and broad median tooth, which may have central, heavily sclerotised nipple.
(includes ‘genus nr Cardiocladius’)
Mentum different, lacking median nipple and usually with more lateral teeth
21
21
-
Antenna four segmented. Subapical seta of procercus strong
Eukiefferiella
Antenna 5-6 segmented. Subapical seta of procercus weak or absent (may be displaced anterior to base of procercus)
22
22
-
Antenna six segmented with sixth fine and elongate
Antenna five segmented, apical segment never so developed
23
Antennal segments 2 and 3 subequal, with paired large Lauterborn organs placed on broadened apex of segment 2
Echinocladius
Antennal segment 2 usually appreciably longer than 3, apex usually no broader than base, Lauterborn organs single, small
or absent
24
-
“genus wood miner”
“SO2”
“SO3”
23
24
-
Procercus short. Premandibles and ungula strongly sclerotised and robust
Procercus normally developed. Premandible and ungula not so robustly developed
25
Abdominal segments posterolaterally with complex setal tuft. Mandible often with outer margin distinctly crenulate,
sometimes with inner margin spinose
Cricotopus
Abdominal segments with simple setae. Mandibular margins smooth.
Paratrichocladius
26
27
Cardiocladius
25
With small conical head on swollen body; median mentum a broad pale tooth, lateral teeth fine, needle-like. Ectoparasitic
on Ephemeroptera
Symbiocladius
No such contrast between conical head and swollen body; mentum more conventionally formed. Not ectoparasitic
27
-
Mentum with five pairs of lateral teeth, the outer three appressed and compacted and poorly distinguished from each other.
All S setae simple.
?Gymnometriocnemus
Mentum formed otherwise. SI seta sometimes bifid or plumose
28
28
-
Anal tubules completely absent. SI and SII setae broad and feathered. Marine
Some evidence of anal tubules. SII never broad and feathered
29
-
SI and SII setae bifid
SII never bifid
Clunio
29
30
31
18
30
-
Posterior parapods, anal claws and anal setae absent
Posterior parapods and anal claws present
31
-
SI seta simple
SI seta plumose
Camptocladius
Pseudosmittia
Bryophaenocladius
Smittia
Key to genera of Orthocladiinae
Pupae
1
-
Anal lobe without fringe of taeniate setae, often with 3 macrosetae, sometimes fewer or none
Anal lobe with partial or complete fringe of taeniate setae
2
-
With no evidence of macrosetae on anal lobe
With at least 1 (usually 2-3) fine hair, spine or taeniate macrosetae on each anal lobe
3
Anal lobe strongly modified, with 2 pairs of dark, curved, dorsally-directed projections. Conjunctives III/IV, IV/V with
uniserial band of anteriorly directed hooks
“genus nr Cardiocladius”
Anal lobe lack such projections. Conjunctives lack hooks.
4
4
2
21
3
5
-
Abdomen swollen apically, tapered posteriorly. Tergite II bare, tergal spinules small, organised into faint anterior bands
and lateral patches. Thoracic horn large, tubular, hyaline
Symbiocladius
Abdomen less swollen and scarcely tapered. Tergite II with posterior transverse band of anterior-directed hooklets;
tergal pattern stronger, comprising anterior and posterior transverse bands on III-VII. Thoracic horn absent.
Cricotopus (“MO4”)
5
-
Antepronotum strongly extended, horn-like, bearing apically an elongate antepronotal seta
No such antepronotal extension
6
Three taeniate setae on anal lobe, one apical on darkened terminal extension, one basal on extension, one mediolateral on
lobe. Thoracic horn absent
“MO7”
One weaker, one stronger non-taeniate anal lobe setae at apex of non-extended anal lobe. Thoracic horn globular.
“genus Australia”
-
7
-
8
-
6
7
Tergites and pleurae of II-VIII quite homogeneous cover of fine spinules, with or without differentiation of transverse
bands of stronger spinules or spines
8
Pleurae without even cover of spinules; pattern on tergites predominantly including non-spinulose areas and bands of
more strongly developed spines
10
Three anal macrosetae longer than anal lobe. Tergal spinules evenly distributed, without evident transverse bands of
stronger spinules or spines
“MO1”
Two anal macrosetae much shorter than anal lobe, either fine or blunt spines. Posterior, transverse bands of stronger
spinules on tergites II-VIII
9
9
-
With two fine macrosetae about half length of anal lobe. Tergite I resembling II-VIII in pattern
“MO9”
With two short spines less than one quarter of length of anal lobe. Tergite I with sparser spinules than on tergites II-VIII
“MO2”
10
Macrosetae of anal lobe short, less than a quarter length of anal lobe, fine or spine-like, not taeniate. Dominant tergal
spines fine and elongate, needle-like
11
Macrosetae of anal lobe long, at least half as long as anal lobe, often taeniate. Tergal spines variously formed
12
11
-
Needle-like spines on tergites up to half tergite length. Multiple dorsocentral setae on thorax, numerous pre-alars. Macrosetae
spines
Echinocladius
Needle-like spines on tergites shorter, less than 1/3 tergite length. Dorsocentral setae 4. Macrosetae fine
Pirara
12
-
Postero-median transverse band of elongate fine needle-like spines on tergites I (II)-VIII
13
Tergites without elongate fine spines, with either evenly distributed spines or transverse band of tubercles or broad spines
14
13
-
Tergite I with anterior and posterior transverse bands of fine spines. Anal lobe small, partially retracted beneath VIII
Cardiocladius
Tergite I without spines. Anal lobe normally developed
Paralimnophyes
14
-
Posterior transverse band of bluntly rounded tubercles on tergites II-VIII
Posterior of tergites without blunt tubercles
15
17
19
15
-
Macrosetae of different lengths and strengths. Thoracic horn spinose. Wing sheath with pearl row
Parametriocnemus
Macrosetae subequal in length and strength, longer than anal lobe. Thoracic horn absent or non-spinose. Wing sheath
smooth
16
16
-
Thoracic horn absent
Thoracic horn present
17
-
Anal lobe squat; macrosetae twice length of lobe. Lateral setae on segments II-VIII taeniate
Anal lobe elongate; macrosetae half length of lobe. All lateral setae simple
18
-
Anal lobe extended beyond insertion of anal macrosetae into spinose ‘tail’
Anal lobe rounded
19
-
Posterior of tergites III-V with anteriorly recurved hooks. Thoracic horn with bulbous base, apically tapered
Posterior of tergites without hooks. Thoracic horn differently shaped
Eukiefferiella
20
20
-
Thoracic horn distinctively shaped, like bunch of grapes
Thoracic horn more or less tubular, rarely absent
Botryocladius
21
21
Tergite VII with large median area of strong spinules. Intersegmental transverse bands of anteriorly-directed spinules
contiguous with posterior transverse band of posteriorly-directed spinules on segments II/IV - V/VI
22
Tergite VII with only fine spinules, at most. Intersegmental transverse bands of spinules, if present, distinct from posterior
band and/or restricted to fewer segments
Cricotopus (part)
-
Stictocladius
17
“SO1”
“SO4”
Parakiefferiella
19
22
-
Thoracic horn absent. Lateral abdominal setae taeniate on segments II-VIII
Thoracic horn present (except when lost through damage)
23
-
Wing sheath smooth
Wing sheath with pearl row
24
Pedes spurii B elongate on segments II and III. Precorneal setae arising from tubercle, elongate, longer than bare, tapering
thoracic horn
Nanocladius
Pedes spurii B weaker, or absent on III. Precorneal setae not arising from tubercle, shorter than spinose, digitiform thoracic
horn
25
-
25
-
26
-
23
24
Thienemanniella
Corynoneura
Five macrosetae sited amongst taeniate anal lobe setae. Lateral abdominal setae taeniate on segments V - VIII.
Psectrocladius
No more than three macrosetae amongst taeniate anal lobe setae. Lateral abdominal setae simple on segment V and VI,
some taeniate on VII and VIII
26
Hook row present as a posteromedial pad on tergite II. Macrosetae evident amongst taeniate anal lobe setae. Rheocricotopus
Hook row absent. Macrosetae not evident (lacking ?) amongst dense taeniate anal lobe setae
Austrobrillia
Comments on Orthocladiinae genera
Notes are presented under each genus in alphabetical order, with unnamed genera (e.g. MO1-, SO1-) at the end.
“genus Australia”
“genus Australia” is so-called after Brundin’s notebook name for two very distinctive pupae. Of Brundin’s two pupal types, only
recently has one (species “A”) has been associated with adult and larvae. The other species (“D”), from the Franklin River in
Tasmania, is still known only from Brundin’s pupal exuvial material. However, two further Australian species appear to be
congeneric: one (“B”) was called “genus nr Cardiocladius” in previous keys; the other (“C”) from AWT material is new to this key.
This genus could belong to an expanded definition of Cardiocladius, and an unpublished PhD from Norway addresses this
possibility. At present there are enough differences in morphology of the larva (four lateral teeth on the mentum) and pupa (with
highly modified anal macrosetae) to suggest separate identification in this key.
Key to larvae of “genus Australia”
1
-
Antenna longer than 1/2 mandible length; segment 1 longer than combined 2-5 (AR > 1)
Antenna short, less than 1/3 mandible length; segment 1 shorter than combined apical segments (AR < 1)
species “B”
2
2
-
First antennal segment no longer than 2nd
First antennal segment longer than 2nd and 3rd combined
species “A”
species “D”
20
species “A” - this species was reported by Brundin from the Thredbo River nr Jindabyne, now known from the Steavenson,
Tambo
River in Victoria and two creeks in the Brindabellas (ACT).
species “B” is associated with riffles or waterfalls in clean rivers, such as the upper Molonglo, the Deua, Barrengarry and Shoalhaven.
The few rearings are from Gibraltar Falls in the Brindabella Range, where the larvae lived in thin water films over rocks.
species “C” is known from a larva with pharate pupa within from the Nepean River at Menangle Bridge (site N85).
species “D” is known only from pupal exuviae in the Franklin River, Tasmania
All species appear to be winter developing, spring emerging, with the larvae associated with the hygropetric (thin water film) zone,
or with fast riffles and waterfalls.
Austrobrillia
(see linked paper)
Botryocladius
(see linked paper)
Bryophaenocladius
This genus is included in the larval key based on the occurrence of larvae in terrestrial samples from orchards in Western Australia.
However there are aquatic representatives of the genus in the northern hemisphere and the taxon may be encountered in Australia.
Not illustrated.
Camptocladius
This genus is included in the larval key based on the occurrence of adults of C. stercorarius in Australia. The larva develops in cow
dung. Any records from aquatic habitats should be treated either with caution or as an indication of serious organic loadings from
cattle yards.
Not illustrated.
Cardiocladius
Pupal and adult evidence points to there being two species that belong to this genus as strictly defined (i.e. not including rather
similar species presently allocated to “genus Australia”. One of these species, C. australiensis is much commoner than the other
undescribed species. It seems that only C. australiensis is present in NSW/ACT, where it occurs in most running waters. The larvae
can be very abundant in waterfalls and riffles, especially close to the outflow of lakes, dams etc and they appear tolerant of organic
inputs, but not elevated temperatures. Larval Cardiocladius may be predatory on larval Simuliidae.
Clunio
Clunio is restricted to the marine and inter-tidal zone on most Australian coasts. Evidence from overseas suggests that they may live
in deeper waters associated with coral reefs, but there is no Australian evidence on this.
Not illustrated.
Compterosmittia
Compterosmittia is restricted to phytotelmata (plant held waters) including Alocasia-axils in northern NSW (also Lord Howe
Island) (Cranston & Kitching, 1995).
Corynoneura
Corynoneura has proved elusive and difficult to find and rear. Recent material has allowed confirmation of the means of separation
from Thienemanniella used in the keys. Larvae are sporadic in running and standing waters, including the Murrumbidgee, Orroral,
Gudgenby, Tidbinbilla and Cotter in ACT and the Shoalhaven and Glenquarry Creek in NSW. SOme exuviae may be quite abundant
in shaded streams of Far North Queensland. Another species is common in newly inundated pools.
Cricotopus and Paratrichocladius
These two genera differ in the adult, but cannot be separated by features of the immature stages. Attempts in previous keys do not
work, and thus the species involved have been reconciled int he key below. For Cricotopus, this key substantially modified from
Nick Drayson’s MSc thesis. The names for species of Cricotopus which are marked with “” do not match Drayson’s thesis, and are
unpublished. Please do not use until formal taxonomic publication.
21
Key to Australian Cricotopus and Paratrichocladius.
Pupae
1
-
Frontal setae present. Segment VIII with longest lateral setae less than 1/7 width of segment. Segment III often with pedes
spurii B
2
Frontal setae absent. Segment VIII with longest lateral setae more than 1/7 width of segment. Segment III with no trace
of pedes spurii B
9
2
-
Frontal setae on frons, dorsal to antennal sheaths
Frontal setae on prefrons, ventral to antennal sheaths
3
-
Thoracic horn mid-brown and spinose; abdomen reticulate.
Thoracic horn hyaline and smooth; abdomen non-reticulate
4
-
Macrosetae less half anal lobe length; basal macroseta displaced antero-medially
Macrosetae at least half length of anal lobe; anal macrosetae in an even row
5
-
Tergite I without spinules. Tergite II with sparse spinule field anterior to hook row, or without spinules
6
Tergite I with sparse posterior or medio-lateral spinule fields. Tergite II with extensive spinule field anterior to hook row 8
6
Segments III and IV without spinule fields on pleura; tergite III with D4 setae noticeably stouter than on tergites II and IV.
Tergites II-VII with pale muscle scars
C. brevicornis Drayson & Cranston, sp. nov.
Segments III and IV with spinule fields on pleura; tergite with D4 setae similar to those on tergites II and IV. Tergites II-VII
with dark muscle scars
7
-
3
5
C. conicornis Drayson & Cranston, sp. nov
4
C. wongi Cranston, sp. nov.
C. albitarsis Hergstrom, sp. nov.
7
-
Thoracic horn virtually smooth, apex tapering to a narrow, rounded point
Thoracic horn with subapical tubercles, apex blunt
8
Thoracic horn less than 100µm long, hyaline, with few or no spines, variable, triangular to rounded apically. Pedes spurii
B small on segment II, weak or undeveloped on III. Tergites VII and VIII with medio-posterior subovoid patch of spines
C. varicornis Cranston, sp. nov.
Thoracic horn around 200µm long, yellow-tinged, strongly beset with thorn-like spines, tapering to blunt apex. Pedes
spurii B obvious on segment II, small on III. Tergite VII with only fine spinules, VIII bare.
C. cooki Drayson & Cranston, sp. nov.
-
C. howensis Cranston, sp. nov.
C. hillmani Drayson & Cranston, sp. nov.
9
-
Tergite II without armament, or few anterior spinules (but beware of dense spinules on sternite II showing through)
Tergite II armed, usually with spine band(s), at least with dense evenly-distributed spinules
10
-
Thoracic horn absent
Thoracic horn spinose, elongate, subequal to precorneal setae
11
-
Thoracic horn broad at base, tapering to spinose apex
Thoracic horn cylindrical
12
1
Sternite VIII with V seta typically situated (latero-medially); thus segment VIII with 4 lateral setae
Sternite VIII with V seta laterally displaced to give impression of 5 lateral setae
13
-
Tergite II with two distinct transverse spine bands; tergite VII densely spinose
Tergites II and VII with scattered weak spinules
14
Tergite II antero-median armament comprising evenly-distributed spinules, undifferentiated into any stronger spine band.
C. tasmania Drayson & Cranston, sp. nov.
Tergite II median armament comprising transverse band of differentiated spines, perhaps medially interrupted
Paratrichocladius “B1”
-
10
12
C. acornis Drayson & Cranston, sp. nov.
11
“Platypus Tarn”
C. parbicinctus Hergstrom, sp. nov.
13
14
4
Paratrichocladius “M1”
C. annuliventris (Skuse)
Key to larvae of Australian Cricotopus*
1
-
Outer edge of mandible crenulate
Outer edge of mandible non-crenulate, smooth excepting notch
2
-
Inner edge of mandible serrate
Inner edge of mandible smooth
3
-
Mentum with 7 or 8 pairs of lateral teeth
Mentum with 6 pairs of lateral teeth
2
7
C. acornis Drayson & Cranston, sp. nov.
3
4
5
22
4
-
5
-
Median mental tooth no wider than first lateral. Apical mandible nor darker (possibly paler) than medio-basal area
C. wongi, Cranston, sp. nov.
Median mental tooth (perhaps a composite of three medial teeth) wider than first lateral. Apical mandible contrastingly
darker than medio-basal area
C. hillmani, Drayson & Cranston, sp. nov
Darkening of mandible extending posteriorly only as far as start of the strong outer crenulations. Seta subdentalis a narrow
blade, mola squared off
C. albitarsis, Hergstrom, sp. nov.
Darkening of mandible extending to external seta, encompassing weak outer crenulations. Seta subdentalis broad, mola
rounded
6
6
-
Head colour pale, in contrast to dark brown apical mandible and mentum
C. conicornis Drayson & Cranston, sp. nov.
Head colour mid-brown, in less strong contrast to mid-brown mandible and mentum.
C. howensis Cranston, sp. nov.
7
-
Inner edge of mandible smooth.
Inner edge of mandible serrate
8
Mentum with second lateral tooth on line of slope of remaining teeth. Dark area of mandible not extending basally as far
as external seta
C. parbicinctus Hergstrom, sp. nov.
Mentum with second lateral tooth smaller, lying below line of slope of remaining teeth. Dark area of mandible extends to,
or beyond, insertion of external seta
9
-
9
-
C. brevicornis Drayson & Cranston, sp. nov.
8
Mentum golden-brown with median area paler.
Mentum evenly mid- to dark brown
C. tasmania Drayson & Cranston, sp. nov.
C. annuliventris (Skuse)
“Cricotopus acornis”, sp. nov.
NSW: Rush’s Creek, Jindabyne, .xii.
ACT: Gibraltar Falls, .ix.
Vic: Buckland River, .xi.; Mitta River, 10 k E. Mitta Mitta, .x.; Cann River, .i.
“Cricotopus albitarsis” Hergstrom, in Drayson and Cranston, sp. nov.
NT: Mudginberri Billabong, .iv.; Gulungul Creek, .iv.; Ranger Mine, Retention Pond 1 spillway, .iv.; South Alligator River,
Fisher Creek, .iv.; Coronation Hill, Gimbat spillway, .iv.; East Alligator River, on escarpment, .iv., .v.
Qld: Carnarvon Creek, .vii.; Conondale Range, Stony Creek #2, .v.; Atkinson Dam, .vii.; Brisbane River, Mount Crosby, .i.
Mount Stanley, .i.
NSW: Upper Clarence River, .i.; Ginninderra Falls, .ii., .xii.; Yarrangobilly River, .i.; Murray River, .i., ii., .iv.; Waterworks, .xi.;
Noreuil Park, .ii., .iii. .xii., Station 6, .iv., .v.; Rush’s Creek, Jindabyne, .xii.
ACT: Lake Burley Griffin, .i.; Isabella Pond, .xii., .xii.; Molonglo River, Coppins Crossing, .ii., .xi.
Vic: Wodonga, House Creek, “upstream”, .i., .xi., .xii.; “downstream”, .i., .v., .xi., .xii.; Middle Creek, downstream White’s Road,
.ii., .iii.
WA: Walpole-Nornalup National Park, Frankland River, circular pool, .xi.; Lake Monger, .iii ; Lesmurdie Falls, .xii.; Hamersley
Range N.P., Hamersley Gorge, .iv.
Cricotopus annuliventris (Skuse)
NSW: Belmore Falls, Barrengarry River, .xii.; Sugarloaf Creek, Clyde Mountain, .i.; Murray River, Station 6, .v. Rush’s Creek,
Jindabyne, .xii.; Rutherford Creek, Brown Mountain, .xii.
ACT: Gibraltar Falls, .ix.-.xii.
SA: Cox Creek, Bonython Road, .ix.; Piccadilly Valley, Vince Creek, .ix.
“Cricotopus brevicornis”, sp. nov.
NT: Kapalga, .iii.; Gulungul Creek, .iv.; South Alligator River, Fisher Creek, .v.; South Alligator River, Gimbat, Coronation Hill,
.v.; South Alligator River, Coronation Hill, Qld: Carnarvon Creek, .vii.; Conondale Range, Stony Creek #2, .v.1990.
NSW: Deua River, S.E. of Araluen, .iii.; Murray River, Noreuil Park, .xii.; Station 6, .v.; Waterworks, .xi.
ACT: Orroral River, .ii.
Vic: Wodonga, Middle Creek, Kiewa Valley Highway, .ii.; Middle Creek, Street’s Road, .ii.; Middle Creek, Beechworth Road,
.ii. WA: Millstream and Chichester Range N.P., Chinderwarrinder Pool, .iv.; Sherwood R., N.W. Highway crossing, .iv.
23
“Cricotopus conicornis”, sp. nov.
Qld: Conondale Range, Bundaroo Creek, .ix.;
NSW: Warrumbungles, Shawn’s Creek, .ix.; Sugarloaf Creek, .xii.; Rutherford Creek, Brown Mountain, .x.Murray River, Union
Bridge,.viii, .xi., E100, 30.iii.1993.
ACT: Pierce’s Creek, Concrete Crossing, .i.; Gibraltar Falls, .viii., .xii.
Vic: Mitta Mitta, .vii.; Big River, Omeo Highway, .i.; Upper Tambo River, “CC10”, .iii.; Upper Tambo River, Bindi I, .viii.;
Steavenson River, .iii.
“Cricotopus cooki” sp. nov.
Vic: Wodonga, Middle Creek, Beechworth Road, .i.; Wodonga, House Creek up-stream, .xii.; Wodonga, Middle Creek, Street’s
Road, .ii.; Boyes Road, .xii.; Beechworth Road, .i.
“Cricotopus hillmani”, sp. nov.
NSW: Warrumbungles, Shawn’s Creek, Timor Rock, .ix.; Belmore Falls, Barrengarry R., .iv.; Endrick River, .ix.; Shoalhaven
River, Warri Bridge, .iii.; Molonglo River, above Captain’s Flat, Falls, Ginninderra Creek, .xii.; Murray River, Station 6, .vii.;
Murray River, Waterworks, .xi.; Rutherford Creek, Brown Mountain, .x.
ACT: , Condor Creek, Brindabellas, .iii.; Cotter River, Vanity Crossing, .xii.; Blundell’s Creek, .i., .iii., .iv.; Tidbinbilla,
Tidbinbilla Creek, .ii.; Gibraltar Falls, .xii., .ix.
Vic: Wodonga, House Creek, downstream, .ix.; upstream, .ix.; Middle Creek, downstream White’s Road, i.; Street’s Road, .ii.;
Beechworth Road, .ii.; Upper Tambo River, “USWW”, .iii.; Bindi I, .viii.;
Tas: nr Welborough, Weld River, ii.; Lake St.Clair National Park, Old Pelion Hut, Douglas Creek, .i.; Mount Field National Park,
Tyenna River, ii.
SA: Hindmarsh Falls, .xi.
“Crictpus howensis”, sp. nov.
Lord Howe Island endemic
“Cricotopus parbicinctus”, sp. nov.
Qld: Conondale Range, Stony Creek #2, .v.; Mount Crosby, Brisbane River, .i.; Mount Stanley, Brisbane River, .i.; Conondale
Range, Bundaroo Creek, .ix.;
NSW: Belmore Falls, Barrengarry R., .iv.; Tallong, Barbers Creek Dam, .xii.; Deua River, .iii.; Endrick River, .ix.; Ginninderra
Falls, .xii.; Clyde Mountain, .i.; Shoalhaven River, .xi.; Molongo R., .iii.; Murray River, Albury, Station 6, .v.; Murray River,
Waterworks, .xi.; Rush’s Creek, Jindabyne, .xii.; Spencer’s Creek, Kosciusko National Park,1730m, .i.; Hedley Tarn, .xii.;
Rutherford Creek, Brown Mountain, .xii.; Bugong Road to Kangaroo Valley, xi.; White Rock River, Nalbaugh Falls, .iii.; Ben
Boyd N.P., Hegarty’s Creek, .ii.
ACT, Lake Burley Griffin, .i.; Molonglo River, Coppins Crossing, .xi.; Pierce’s Creek, .ix.; Cotter River, below dam, .xi.; Warks
Creek, .iv.; Blundell’s Creek, .i., .iii., .iv.; Tidbinbilla Creek, .ii.; Gibraltar Falls, .ix.; Orroral River, .ii
Vic: Wodonga, House Creek up-stream, .xii.; Middle Creek, downstream White’s Road, .iii.; Street’s Road, .ii., Beechworth
Road, .ii.; Mitta, Snowy Creek, .i.; Buckland River, .xi.; Cann River, .i.; Bundoora, LaTrobe University pond, .ix.
Tas: nr Welborough, Weld River, .ii.; Lake St.Clair National Park, Ranger Hut, Douglas Creek, .i.; Franklin River, Lyall Highway
crossing, .i.;
SA: Eric Bonython Reserve, .iv.
WA: Stirling Range, Bluff Knoll, .xi.
“Cricotopus tasmania”
Tas: Mount Field National Park, Rodway Hut, .ii.; Lake St. Clair National Park, Ranger Hut, Douglas Creek, .i.
“Cricotopus varicornis” sp. nov.
ACT: Gibraltar Falls, .ix.
“Cricotopus wongi”, sp. nov.
NT: Wongi Falls;
Qld: Border Falls
Crictopus “MO4”
Qld: Conondales, Stony Creek, .v.
ACT: Gibraltar Falls, .xii.
NSW/Vic: Murray River, .i.
24
Echinocladius (was “MO5”)
(see linked paper)
Eukiefferiella
(see linked paper)
?Gymnometriocnemus
This is the likely generic assignment for three different larval types. The hesitancy about assignation comes from the presence of a
seta interna on the mandible, which conflicts with the Holarctic diagnosis, and the lack of any rearing.
Species 1 is known from leaf axils of Richea pandanifolia (“pandani”) from Hartz Mountains National Park (43o11’S 146o46’E)
and at a site along the Anthony Development Road (41o55’S 145o34’E) both in the eastern Tasmania (Cranston & Kitching, 1995).
Species 2 is based upon material seen but not retained from Victoria (Water Ecoscience) and one larva retained in ANIC from AWT
(PGK5 23.v.1990, as ?Brillia or woodminer). This larva has wood fibres in the gut and is probably another wood miner.
Species 3 is from Carey Brook in Western Australia, and also has wood fibres in the gut.
The three species are separable as follows:
species 1 has a short four-segmented antenna with the blade extending far beyond the apex.
species 2 has a longer five-segmented antenna with the blade extending no further than the apex of the third antennal segment.
species 3 resembles species 1 in the short four-segmented antenna and elongate blade, but differs in having a very small circlet of
claws representing the fused anterior parapods, and the very few claws on the posterior parapods (not drawn).
Limnophyes
Limnophyes is keyed on the basis of an unreared AWT larva and its identity is in doubt. At least one species of true Limnophyes (ie
not Paralimnophyes) do occur in Australia, based on adults collected in Tasmania.
Nanocladius
Nanocladius is a very widespread genus in all kinds of lotic and lentic conditions, particularly in fine sediments. Widespread in
Western Australian sandy bedded streams and rivers. I recognise three larval and pupal types, some of which stretch the Holarctic
diagnoses. There may be more, but I haven’t enough rearings.
Parakiefferiella
Parakiefferiella is a diverse genus, with four pupal types but scarcely a rearing to allow larval association. One species is
particularly common and was named by Hergstrom in her unpublished thesis as variegatus. This species seems quite tolerant of
organic enrichment in running waters: other species may be restricted to oligotrophic alpine lakes and tarns. An AWT larva more
typical of the Holarctic diagnosis (N931, 13.i.1994, TC 450) is drawn as Parakiefferiella “S1” - on rearing it may belong to one of
the known pupal types.
Parakiefferiella seems to be common throughout the country, including Western Australian streams and rivers right through to the
far north of the state and temporary streams and rivers of central Australia.
Paratrichocladus - see Crictopus
Pirara
(see linked paper)
Paralimnophyes
Two species of Paralimnophyes are described but I’ve reared only P. albibasis. I don’t find the genus commonly, only in pristine
streams in the Brindabellas but I’ve been told that one species may be associated with nutrient-enriched waters. Both species are
present in Western Australia, in winter, in temporary streams especially peaty ones. The genus has also turned up in temporary
streams in central Australia, in seepage areas.
Parametriocnemus
Parametriocnemus has perhaps only one species, which is very tolerant of organic enrichment, heavy metals, low pH, but which
does occur sporadically in clean running waters.
I’ve seen this from northern Western Australia.
25
“Psectrocladius”
Psectrocladius was known only as a rare pupa (from Brown Mountain, s. NSW, and Sandy Creek, Tamborine Mt, s. Qld) until Rod
Hardwick reared it from GS4354 (33.34.40"S 150.19’E, Crayfish Creek). Since then I have it from NSW: Cave Creek (Kosciusko
N.P.), Imlay Creek (Mt Imlay). Nothing known about larval tolerances from my data.
Placement in Holarctic gunus Psectrocladius is erroneous - see linked paper
Pseudosmittia
This (unfigured) genus is included in the larval key based on the occurrence of adults throughout Australia. These are probably
mostly associated with terrestrial or marine intertidal habitats, but there are aquatic representatives of the genus in the northern
hemisphere and may be encountered in Australia.
Rheocricotopus
Rheocricotopus comprises apparently only one widespread undescribed species. Very common in clean northern rivers (less so in
streams), apparently less common in southern rivers. In Western Australia I have specimens only from northern rivers (including
Hamersley Gorge).
NSW records from River Murray tributaries in Albury Wodonga, the Shoalhaven (Hillview and Warri Bridge), Barrengarry River,
Deua River, Paddys River. Likely to be intolerant of organic enrichment, but clearly very tolerant of elevated temperatures.
Smittia
This genus is included in the larval key based on the presence of adults of the cosmopolitan species S. aterrima (Meigen) throughout
Australia. This species has a terrestrial larva, but might be encountered in aquatic surveys after heavy rain.
Stictocladius
There are three species of Stictocladius described on adults, two of which multiserialis and victoriae appear to be synonyms. S.
uniserialis is very common, but appears to have two pupal types. Type I has a non-spinose sternite II, and extends from Carnarvon
Gorge (Qld) to Tasmania, and is absent from WA. Type II has an anterior transverse band of spinules, medially with a clump of
translucent strong spines, rare in south-eastern Australia but is the only species of Stictocladius in WA, common in the jarrah
streams of the south-west. The genus is difficult to rear, and I cannot yet separate the larval taxa. Apparently susceptible to increased
temperature and organic loadings.
A rather different larva (SO4) gives a similar pupa but a plain winged adult (all described Stictocladius have patterned wings).
Key to pupal taxa
1
-
Transverse spine band of tergite VIII multiseriate, dense. Anal lobe extension elongate and curved
Transverse spine band of tergite VIII uniseriate, sparse, with large spines. Anal lobe extension shorter, straight
2.
-
Sternite II without spines/spinules
Sternite II with anterior spinules and anteromedian spine patch
multiserialis
2
uniserialis Type I
uniserialis Type II
Symbiocladius
There is one species, Symbiocladius aurifodae, which lives phoretically (?parasitically) on mayfly nymphs. Only 1 record
from NSW: Rutherford Creek, Brown Mountain. Quite common in Victorian (Gippsland) streams.
Thienemanniella
There are probably several species of Thienemanniella, which will eventually be discriminated on antennal ratio and
median mental teeth. Everywhere, pollution tolerant.
MO1
“MO1” (Murray Orthoclad 1): known only from the River Murray, Albury and Rutherford Creek, Brown Mountain.
MO2
“MO2” (Murray Orthoclad 2): known only from a tributary of the Murray, Wodonga.
MO3
“MO3” (Murray Orthoclad 3): known only from the River Murray.
26
MO7
“MO7” (Murray Orthoclad 7): known in NSW from the Shoalhaven River at Warri Bridge.
SO1
“SO1” (Sydney Orthoclad 1) is very common in southern NSW and ACT streams: Sugarloaf Creek (nr Braidwood),
Mongarlowe (State Forest), Endrick R. (35.05’S 150.08’E) and Brindabella streams.
SO2
“SO2” (Sydney Orthoclad 2) is known only from Gibraltar Falls in the Brindabella Range, ACT.
SO3
“SO3” (Sydney Orthoclad 3) species 1 is known from NSW: Endrick River (35.05’S 150.08’E), Barren Grounds (34.40’S
150.44’E) and Corang River (35.15’S 150.06’E); Qld: Fraser Island, Lake Boomanjin (24.03’S 153.05’E).
“SO3” species 2 is reared from Western Australian, which allows recognition of the larva. All exuviae of species 2 are from acid,
humic streams in south-western Western Australia: mid-Shannon River (34.39’E 116.22’E), lower Shannon
River (34.51’S 116.22’E), Fish Creek (34.40’S 116.23’E) and Forth River (34.52’S 116.23’E).
SO4
This was referred to as Stictocladius (part) in earlier keys. However the immature stages, though showing resemblance to Stictocladius,
appear to belong in a separate taxon. This may have been referred to as “Cordites” by previous Australian
authors (needs verification).
Known from ACT: Brindabellas (Lees Creek, Condor Creek, Blundell’s Creek), NSW (Mongarlowe River, Rutherford
Creek (Brown Mountain) and AWT site 1525.
SO5
Based on a larval head and crushed anterior segments of a pupa from AWT (“L5, #1. 13.vi.1989”).
Not keyed due to missing abdominal features.
ACT Woodminers
Two unusual small larvae were found by Brendan McKie to mine immersed wood in ACT streams. Their identity, pupae, and adults
remain unknown.
27
Key to genera of Australian Chironominae
Larvae
1
-
Bases of SI setae fused and SII on long pedestal. Antenna always with 5 segments with Lauterborn organs distinct,
sometimes on pedestals, never alternate. Ventromental plates rarely separated medially by more than the width of the
mental tooth
Tanytarsini 2
Bases of SI rarely fused, SII rarely on pedestal. Antenna may be six segmented and Lauterborn organs alternate, though
usually opposite, sometimes indistinct. Ventromental plates usually well separated
8
2
-
Ventromental plates separated medially by width of three median mental teeth
Ventromental plates separated medially by no more than the width of the median mental tooth
3
-
Lauterborn organs alternate on segment 2; antennal pedestal with apical, non-palmate process
Lauterborn organs opposite, apical on segment 2; antennal pedestal with medial palmate process
4
-
Premandible with more than two teeth
Premandible bifid
5
Second antennal segment wedge-shaped, subequal in length to third segment. Large Lauterborn organs arise from short
pedicels
Cladotanytarsus
Second antennal segment cylindrical, longer than third segment. Lauterborn organs smaller, arising from long pedicels
Tanytarsus
-
6
-
3
4
Stempellinella
Stempellina
5
6
Lauterborn organs large, on broad pedestals, extending beyond antennal apex. Second antennal segment squat, scarcely
longer than 3rd
Neozavrelia
Lauterborn organs small, sessile or on short, thin pedestals, that do not extend to antennal apex
7
7
-
Pecten epipharyngis consisting of 3-5 lobes. Ventromental plate striae thin and homogeneous across plate
Paratanytarsus
Pecten epipharyngis a broad toothed comb. Ventromental plate striae appearing as a crenulate median transverse band
across plate
Rheotanytarsus
8
Ventromental plates difficult to distinguish, scarcely striate. Head dorso-ventrally flattened. Abdomen flaccid with
enlarged and thickened thoracic segments. Wood/leaf mining
Ventromental plates distinct, striate. Head not dorso-ventrally flattened. Body not flaccid, thoracic segments not
thickened. Few species wood mining
-
9
10
9
-
Third antennal segment short, subequal in length to fifth, both half length of fourth segment
Third antennal segment only slightly shorter than fourth, both longer than fifth
10
-
Mentum with deep median V-shaped cleft, with slight indications of serrations on antero-median margin.
Mentum never cleft as above
11
SI seta plumose, SII not blade-like. Labral lamellae present. Pecten epipharyngis usually a wide plate, rarely reduced to
three sometimes serrate lobes.
12
SI and SII setae simple, frequently blade-like. Labral lamellae absent. Pecten epipharyngis usually reduced to single scale,
rarely toothed
Harnischia complex 29
-
Harrisius
Stenochironomus
Fissimentum
11
12
-
All teeth of mentum and premandible pale. Head bean-shaped in lateral profile. Larvae very small
At least lateral mental teeth and apical mandibular teeth dark. Profile of head not bean shaped
Nilothauma
13
13
-
Antenna five-segmented with Lauterborn organs either opposite on 2nd segment or absent
14
Antenna six-segmented with Lauterborn organs alternate, either on apices of 2nd and 3rd segments or alternate on 2nd
segment
20
14
-
Mandible with basal striations. Generally with two pairs of ventral tubules and 1 pair of lateral tubules although some
reduction may occur
Chironomus
Mandible lacking basal striations, although exceptionally if present, without any abdominal tubules
15
15
-
Ventromental plates narrow, only c. 2 times as wide as deep
Ventromental plates broad, at least 3x as wide as deep
16
-
Premandible with at least 5 teeth. Pit on anterior of frons
Premandible usually with 2-3 teeth. Frons without pit
Dicrotendipes
16
Kiefferulus
17
28
17
-
Apex of labrum with distinctive brush of setae
Apex of labrum without such a brush
18
-
Mentum with even number of teeth (median teeth paired)
Mentum with odd number of teeth (single median tooth)
19
Median mental tooth large, domed. Ventromental plates elongate and virtually in contact medially. Antenna arising from
pedestal
Riethia
Median mental tooth recessed, small. Antenna not arising from pedestal. Ventromental plates narrower, separated medially
by width of three median mental teeth
?Megacentron (SWB4L)
-
Xenochironomus
18
Polypedilum
19
20
-
Ventromental plates subtriangular, almost in medial contact. Antenna subequal in length to head Zavreliella/Lauterborniella
Ventromental plates more semilunar, more widely separated medially. Antenna shorter than head
21
21
-
Ventromental plates semilunar in outline. Mandible striate basally
Ventromental plates fan-shaped. Mandible without basal striations
22
-
Mentum, or at least median (ventromental) teeth, pale
All mental teeth evenly dark
23
-
Basal Lauterborn organ in middle of second antennal segment.
Basal Lauterborn organ apical on second antennal segment.
24
-
Mentum evenly curved, all teeth subequal in size, with odd number (1 or 3) of median mental teeth
Stictochironomus
Mentum with some teeth distinctly smaller than others, with even number of median teeth (unless deeply recessed median
pair are worn and appear single)
25
25
-
Basal Lauterborn organ in middle of 3rd antennal segment.
Lauterborn organs apical on alternate apices of 2nd and 3rd antennal segments
26
-
Median mental teeth protruding anterior to lateral teeth
Median mental teeth deeply recessed
27
-
Fourth antennal segment with distinct curve
Fourth antennal segment straight
28
First lateral mental teeth minute, smaller than median teeth
First lateral mental teeth larger than minute median teeth
29
-
Antenna seven-segmented. Posterior parapods very elongate and narrow. Ventromental plates curiously striate
Robackia
Antenna five or six-segmented. Posterior parapods not conspicuously elongate. Ventromental plates variously formed but
never as in Robackia
30
30
-
Mentum conspicuously concave with pale median tooth
Mentum conventionally more or less convex
31
-
Antenna 5-segmented. Blade subapical on 2nd segment.
Antenna 6-segmented. Blade subapical on third segment.
32
-
Mentum with outermost group of 3 teeth forming group distinctively set-off from general slope
Mentum generally with teeth decreasing evenly in height from median to outermost
33
34
33
-
Mentum with single median tooth; ventromental plate with crenulate or spinose anterior margin
Mentum with paired median teeth; ventromental plate with smooth anterior margin
Microchironomus
Cladopelma
34
-
Median teeth of mentum wide, paler than outermost teeth.
Median teeth of mentum no larger than lateral teeth, dark.
35
Mandible squat with distinct inner teeth. Mentum with 4 distinct lateral teeth. Procercal setae very long > 0.5 body length.
Anuncotendipes
Mandible with elongate apical tooth and indistinct inner teeth. Mentum with indistinctly separated 6 lateral teeth. Procercal
setae short.
Harnischia
-
36
-
genus “K1”
22
23
24
Paratendipes
Microtendipes
Skusella
26
27
28
Conochironomus
Imparipecten
?Omisus
Paraborniella
31
32
Cryptochironomus
Demicryptochironomus (Irmakia)
35
36
Antenna with some hyaline sections, probably 6-segmented, but with indistinct segmentation; style arising from middle
of second segment. Pecten epipharyngis of three scales
Paracladopelma
Antenna with 5 distinct segments, lacking hyaline sections; bifid style arising at apex of first segment. Pecten
epipharyngis of multiple spines
Parachironomus
29
Key to genera of Australian Chironominae
Pupae
1
-
Thoracic horn undivided, often arising from dome-like base. Abdominal tergites often with patches or paired patches of
spines. Wing sheath often with nose
Tanytarsini 2
Thoracic horn with at least two branches, often plumose; base never dome-like. Abdominal tergites rarely with paired
spine patches. Wing sheaths rarely with nose
8
2
-
Pedes spurii A present on sternite IV. Segment VIII with 1-2 anal spurs
Pedes spurii A absent. Segment VIII usually with distinct comb
3
-
Tergites II-IV with distinct, paired, anterior spinule patches
Tergites without paired spinule patches
Rheotanytarsus
4
4
-
Tergite VI with basolateral, laterally-directed strong spines
Tergite VI with evenly distributed fine spines only
Stempellina
Stempellinella
5
-
Tergite IV with anteromedian single spine/spinule patch
Tergite IV with paired anterior spine/spinule patches or longitudinal bands of spines/ spinules
6
-
Precorneal setae arise from single common base, taeniate
Precorneal setae arise separately, non-taeniate
7
-
Tergite II with paired antero-lateral point patches equally strongly developed as those on tergites III-VI
Tergite II usually without point patches; if present then much weaker than on subsequent tergites
8
Hook row absent. No tooth or comb on segment VIII. Posterior margins of tergites II-VII with posterior, transverse band
of elongate tubercles
Anuncotendipes
Hook row absent only in Crytotendipes. Segment VIII usually with tooth or comb; if absent, then lacking posterior band
of elongate tubercles
9
-
9
10
11
3
5
Paratanytarsus
6
Cladotanytarsus
7
Neozavrelia
Tanytarsus
Anal fringe reduced to three setae in female, absent in male. All lateral setae simple except posteriormost seta on VIII
genus “K10”
Anal fringe more strongly developed. More than 1 lateral seta taeniate
10
Thoracic horn extremely elongate, longer than cephalothorax, with simple basal section, branched at about mid-length.
Tergite II without hook row
Cryptotendipes
Thoracic horn shorter, branches more basal. Tergite II always with hook row
11
-
Anterior third of each tergal membrane with longitudinal hyaline creases. Thoracic horn single, strong, plump, often
spiculate
Riethia
Such longitudinal creases absent. Thoracic horn with 2 or more branches.
12
12
Tergites II-VI with paired spinule patches
-
Tergites lacking paired spinule patches
13
-
Tergite VI with posteromedian mound of spines
Tergite VI without distinctive mound of spines
14
-
Anal segment with robust forked processes. Exuviae uniformly yellowish-brown or darker. Abdomen often reticulate
Cryptochironomus
Anal segment without forked processes. Exuviae less uniformly coloured, often pale. Abdomen usually not reticulate 15
15
-
Thoracic horn with few major branches, sparse, never dense bush
Thoracic horn a dense plumose brush
16
Abdominal tergites II or III to VI with distinct anterior transverse band of stronger spinules, sometimes separated from
median area by spinule-free zone. Anal lobe setae always absent
17
Tergal spine pattern variable but without distinct anterior transverse band of stronger spinules. Anal lobe setae present or
absent
24
-
17
-
Zavreliella
(probably includes Lauterborniella, differentiation difficult)
13
Cladopelma
14
16
32
Cephalic area without tubercles, warts or frontal setae. Comb transversely orientated, with largest teeth more medial
genus “K16”
Cephalic area with tubercles, frontal setae or frontal warts; never all missing
18
30
18
-
Cephalic tubercles and frontal setae absent, but elongate frontal warts present
Frontal setae present; cephalic tubercles and frontal warts present or absent
19
-
Hookrow on tergite II medially divided
Hookrow on tergite II continuous
20
-
Segments V and VI with 3 taeniate lateral setae
Segments V and VI with 4 taeniate lateral setae
21
-
Cephalic tubules fused basally, giving heavily sclerotised, triangular cephalic area. Posterolateral corner of segment
VIII with mace-like comb
Polypedilum (Cerobregma)
Cephalic area not as above. Comb never mace-like
22
22
-
Posterior transverse tergal bands of spinules upon elevated mounds. Pedes spurii B absent.
Transverse tergal bands never elevated. Pedes spurii B present or absent
23
-
Pedes spurii B absent. Segment V without taeniate lateral setae
Pedes spurii B present (?always). Segment V with 3 taeniate lateral setae
24
-
Posterior lateral seta on segment IV taeniate
All lateral setae on segment IV fine
25
-
Conjunctives III/IV and/or IV/V with spinules.
Conjunctives bare.
26
-
Segment IV with lateral fringe of fine setae. Small frontal tubercles present
No segment with lateral fringe. Frontal tubercles absent
genus “K2”
27
27
-
Anal lobe without dorsal setae. Tergites V and VI with 3 taeniate lateral setae
Anal lobe with dorsal setae. Tergites V and VI with 4 taeniate lateral setae
Paratendipes
28
28
-
Tergites VII and VIII without spinule pattern
Tergites VII and VIII with at least anterior paired patches of spines
genus “S1”
29
29
-
Wing sheath with blunt nose
Wing sheath without nose
30
-
Lateral margin of segments III-VIII and posterior of segment III fringed. Lateral setae not taeniate
No lateral fringe. Some lateral setae taeniate
31
-
Taeniate lateral setae: 3 on V, 4 on VI, VII, 5 on VIII. Single posterolateral spur on VIII
Harrisius
Segment V and VI without, VII with 2 and VIII with 5 taeniate lateral setae. Transverse comb of multiple small flat
teeth on VIII
Conochironomus
32
-
Spinules of tergal armament arising from anterior transverse darkened areas amongst dense spinule pattern. Xenochironomus
Dorsal spinules o not arising from such darkened transverse bands
33
33
-
Anal lobe elongate-ovoid. Posterolateral comb of segment VIII comprising broad, overlapping teeth. Pedes spurii A and B
absent
Stenochironomus
Anal lobe more ovoid, less elongate. Posterolateral comb differently formed. Pedes spurii A always present
34
34
-
Tergite II hookrow interrupted medially
Tergite II hookrow continuous
35
40
35
Tergite II with spinules or tubercles grouped in pattern associated with divided hook row
Tergite II either bare or with ungrouped spinules
36
37
36
Tergites II-III (or -VIII) with medially-interrupted narrow posterior transverse bands of dark pigmented tubercular
spines. Pedes spurii A very small. Frontal tubercles present, setae absent
genus “K14”
Tergites II-III with medially interrupted, broad transverse band of pigmented small tubercles. Pedes spurii A well
developed on sternite IV. Frontal setae on tubercles
Demicryptochironomus (Irmakia)
-
37
-
Posterolateral corner of segment VIII without spur or comb
Posterolateral corner of segment VIII with spur
38
-
Posterior margin of tergites III-VI with stronger spines than more anterior on segment. Spur slender
Tergites II-VI with even pattern of spinules, perhaps stronger anteriorly. Comb or spur different
Microtendipes
19
20
21
genus “K1”
Paraborniella
Pagastiella
23
genus “K17”
Polypedilum
Nilothauma
25
26
30
Paralauterborniella
genus “K4”
Skusella
31
Harnischia
38
Microchironomus
39
31
39
-
Spur with pale “window”, like that of Chironomus
Comb bulging outward, with 3-4 teeth
40
-
Frontal setae absent. Abdomen with strong reticulate pattern
Frontal setae present. Abdomen never very strongly reticulate
41
-
Tergite II hookrow extending about 1/3 segment width and elevated upon a projecting flap from tergite. Pedes spurii B
absent
42
Tergite II hookrow extending >1/2 segment width, not upon elevated projecting flap. Pedes spurii B present
43
42
-
Tergite VI with posteromedian spinose bulge. Tergites with short fine spines
Tergite VI without posteromedian bulge. Tergites with blunt tubercles posteriorly
43
-
Conjunctives III/IV and IV/V with a short slender lateral seta
Lateral setae never arising from conjunctives
44
-
Segments V and VI with 3 taeniate lateral setae. Frontal tubercles characteristically elongate, tapering, frontal seta
subapical
Stictochironomus
Segments V and VI with 4 taeniate lateral setae. Frontal tubercles variable
45
45
-
Segment I with 1 lateral seta
Segment I without lateral seta
46
Segments often with reticulate pattern, particularly on posterior tergites. Posterolateral spur or comb never a single hook
Dicrotendipes
Non-reticulate. Posterolateral spur a single hook
Imparipecten
-
genus “K5”
Stenochironomus
**(was genus “K15”)
Robackia
41
Parachironomus
Paracladopelma
Chironomus
44
Kiefferulus
46
32
Tribe Pseudochironomini
Key to Riethia species
Larva
1
-
Mentum golden, mandibular teeth all unicolorous golden-yellow
Mentum and inner mandibular teeth brown
2
4
2
-
Antennal ratio c 1.0. Third antennal segment longer than second
Antennal ratio greater than 1.5. Third antennal segment subequal to or shorter than second
3
Dorsal sclerite I subrectangular
Dorsal sclerite I subovate
4
-
Third antennal segment longer than second
Third antennal segment shorter than second
5
6
5
-
Postmentum brown, contrasting with genae
Postmentum pale yellow, as genae
stictoptera
cinctipes
6
-
Antennal ratio 2 or greater. Posterior half of head dark
Antennal ratio less than 1.8. Posterior head pale
zeylandica
7
7
-
Antennal ratio less than 1.5
Antennal ratio greater than 1.6
“V4”
3
plumosa
‘divided hook row’
“V5”
“moonlight”
Pupa
1
-
Hook row on tergite II medially divided
Hook row on tergite II complete
“divided hook row”
2
2
-
Conjunctival spine band merging without break into posterior spines
Conjunctival spine band clearly demarcated from posterior tergal spines
3
-
Conjunctive spine bands medially interrupted
Conjunctive spine bands continuous
4
-
Two conjunctives with spine bands (III/IV, IV/V)
Three conjunctives with spine bands (III/IV, IV/V & V/VI)
5
8
5
-
Tergite II broadly spinose, with postero-median spine area extending anteriorly to broad transverse spine area
Tergite II with few spines, restricted to postero-median area
6
7
6
-
Tergal apophyses brown. Cephalic area smooth
Tergites pale. Cephalic area with paired warts
zeylandica
”V5"
7
-
Pedes spurii B on segment II. Tergite II with small spine area, narrower than hook row
Pedes spurii B absent. Tergite II with moderate spine area, about as wide as hook row
stictoptera
plumosa
8
-
Tergites VII & VIII with postero-lateral spine areas. Exuviae dark
Tergites VII & VIII without posterior spinules. Exuviae pale
“Brisbane”
3
“Kakadu”
4
cinctipes
“V4”
Megacentron
“SWB 4L” is an unreared larva, but may well be the previously unknown larva of the second Australian genus of Pseudochironomini,
Megacentron. Known only from Dorrigo (off logs, Chandlers Creek).
33
Tribe Tanytarsini
Cladotanytarsus
Cladotanytarsus: the most intractable genus of Tanytarsini. There are many pupal types, though mostly the variation is subtle: the
associated adults are very difficult to distinguish. I have too few rearings to make larval associations other than the few shown on
the figures. No key can be presented.
Ecologically, Cladotanytarsus seem quite homogeneous, mostly living in soft sediments of lakes and depositional substrates in slow
flowing parts of rivers. Very tolerant of increased turbidity and sediment deposition, and perhaps also of organic and pesticide
pollution.
Paratanytarsus
Paratanytarsus is distinctive in the pupal stage, much less so as larvae. Although a key to pupae can be presented, at present I have
too little reared material to attempt a larval key.
Key to Australian Paratanytarsus
Pupae
1
-
Tergite III with fine spinules only; tergites IV-VI with single anteromedian spine patch
Tergite III with spine pattern
2
-
Tergites IV-VI with single anteromedian spine patch
Tergites IV-V with some paired spine patches
3
-
Tergite V with anterior transverse band of spines
Tergite V with anterior paired patches of spines
4
Long spines on tergite IV restricted to posterior of longitudinal spinule bands; anteromedian patch on tergite IV without
long spines
“K2”
Long spines on tergite IV extend for length of longitudinal spinule bands; anteromedian patch on tergite IV with some long
spines
?furvus
-
5
-
Tergite V with long spines in longitudinal bands and long spines present in anteromedian spine patches
Tergite V only with anteromedian spine patches
6
-
Tergite IV with few long spines each side of anteromedian spine patch
Tergite IV with numerous long spines in longitudinal bands extending towards posterior segment margin
“K1”
2
kathleenae
3
4
5
jefferyi
6
“M1”
grimmii
Distribution
P. furvus: uncommon in clean upland streams:
ACT: Gibraltar Falls, .xi.; Gudgenby River, .ii.;
NSW: Murray R., Union Bridge, .xi.;
Vic: Steavenson R., .ii.
P. grimmii: parthenogenetic, often a nuisance species in moderate quality waters.
P. jefferyi: clean low order streams:
Qld: Carnarvon Ck.,.vii.; Bundaroo Ck, .ix.
NSW: Warrumbungles, .ix., Micalong Ck, .i., Imlay Creek, .i., Rutherford Creek; .xii. Yarrangobilly R., .i.; Murrumbidgee R.,
.xii.; Mongarlowe R., .ii.
Vic: Bonang R., .ii., Tambo R., .iii., viii., Buckland R., .v.;
Tas: Douglas Ck., .i., Weld R., .ii., .v., .viii., .xi.
P. kathleenae, common, tolerates lowered water quality.
Qld: Carnarvon Ck., .vii.; Yabba Ck., .xi.; Brisbane R., .ii.
NSW: Warrumbungles, .ix.; Cabbage Tree Ck., .iii., Yarrangobilly R., .i.; Imlay Ck., .i.; Ryan’s Billabong, .ix.
ACT: Lake Burley Griffin; .xii.
Vic: Buckland R., .v.; Curdies R., .vii.
Tas: Lake Ayr, .i.; Lake Price, .i., Douglas Ck., .i.; Lake Seal, .ii.
34
P. “M1”
Vic: Middle Ck, .x.
P. “K1”
NT: Djalkmara Billabong, .iv.; Graveside Gorge, .vii.; Katherine R., .vi.;
WA: Millstream N.P., Fortescue R. and Crossing Pool, .iv.; W. Kimberley, Lennard R., .v.
P. “K2”
NT: Rockhole Mine Ck., .v.
Neozavrelia
(see linked paper)
Pontomyia
Pontomyia is only marine, known from Western Australia.
Rheotanytarsus
(see linked paper)
Stempellina
Stempellina: two species, S. australiensis and S. johni which I cannot yet separate on larval grounds (inadequate rearings).
S. australiensis known from Tambo River (N.E. Vic.) and ACT: Pierces Creek only.
S. johni from ACT: Wark’s Creek.
unidentified Stempellina also from other Brindabella streams.
Stempellinella
A single unreared larva of Stempellinella is known from Alligator River, N.T.
Tanytarsus
Key to Australian Tanytarsus
Pupae
1
-
Tergite III with long spines (>50um) in paired longitudinal rows or patches
2
Tergite III with no long spines (<40um); paired anterior spine patches or with longitudinal rows of medium-lengthed to
short spines and/or spinules present
15
2
-
Long spines restricted to tergite III
Long spines on tergites III & IV, maybe on V and VI
3
-
Tergite VI with some long spines in patches
Tergite VI without long spines
4
-
Tergite V with long spines
5
Tergite V with few or no long spines; maybe with intermediate-lengthed spines amongst paired anterior patches of short
spines
6
5
-
Long spines on tergites III-V arise only in anterior third of segment
Long spines on tergites III-V arise on anterior and posterior of segment
6
-
Long spines on tergite III arise only in posterior half of tergite
Long spines on tergite III arise in anterior half of tergite
7
-
Long spines arise only in anterior third of tergites III and IV
Long spines arise in also posterior half of tergite III
7b
-
Tergite II with denser point patches amongst armament. Comb on VIII with sparse long spines
Tergite II with even armament. Comb a cluster of strong spines
“B2”
3
“K14”
4
“B3”
dostinei
formosanus
7
7b
8
reidi
“M1”
35
8
9
-
Anal lobe with fringe restricted to posterior 2/3, with relatively few (c15), sparse setae. Segment VII with all lateral setae
fine
spinosus
Anal lobe fringe start more anteriorly, with >20 setae. Segment VII with lateral setae taeniate
9
Long spines on tergites III and IV multiserial, dense, mid-brown; sinuous on IV
“B1”
Long spines on tergite III and IV uniserial, sparser, often pale, in longitudinal to transverse straight row
10
10
-
Tergite V with two distinct sizes of spines, the largest intermediate between long and short
Tergite V spine area more homogeneous, spines short, without intermediate length spines
11
Spine patches on tergite V oval. Tergite IV long spines arise only in anterior half of tergite, aligned in straight longitudinal
line. Dorsal setae 1 & 5 broadly taeniate on tergites II-V
gulungul
Spine patches on tergite V elongate. Tergite IV long spines arise also in posterior half of tergite and aligned more
diagonally. Dorsal tergal setae fine
“B4”
-
11
12
12
-
Tergite V with only spinules, without spine patches
Tergite V with distinctly larger spines amongst anterior paired patches
13
-
Tergite V lacking posterior spinule extension to anterior paired spine patches
Tergite V with posterior spinule extension to anterior paired spine patches
14
-
Nose on wing sheath strong
Nose on wing sheath weak
15
-
Tergite II with paired anterior patches of spines
Tergite II with only fine spinules at most
15b.
-
Four lateral taeniae on segment VIII, more than 40 taeniae in anal fringe
Five lateral taeniae on segment VIII, 19-29 taeniae in anal fringe
16
-
Tergite VI lacking anterior paired spine patches
Tergite VI with anterior paired spine patches
17
-
Cephalic setae arising from prominent tubercles. Anal lobe fringe sparse, <15 setae. L setae taeniate on segments V and VI
humphreyi
Cephalic setae without tubercles. Anal lobe fringe denser, >25 setae. L setae simple on segments V and VI
micksmithi
18
-
Tergites III-VI lacking any fine spinules, armament restricted to isolated anterior paired patches of spines.
Tergites III-VI with quite numerous fine spinules as well as anterior paired spine patches
19
Posterolateral corner of VIII with three to four spines, the outermost curved inwards, without any second rank spinules.
Spines of point patches c 10um long
manlyensis
Posterolateral corner of VIII with three to four dominant, spines and up to 10 second rank spines. Spines of point patches
c 40 um long
“K13”
-
edwardi
13
hardwicki
14
nr bispinosus
(K6) bispinosus
15b
16
barbitarsis
wendylee
17
18
19
20
20
-
Tergites III-V broadly spinulose with anterior paired spine patches lying within spinulose area
Tergites III-V with fine spinules restricted to longitudinal extensions from anterior paired spine patches
21
Cephalic setae arise from prominent tubercles. Thoracic horn swollen basally. Thoracic suture slightly roughened. L setae
taeniate on segments IV-VIII
“K11”
Cephalic setae arise from minute tubercles. Thoracic horn narrow. Thoracic suture rugulose. L setae taeniate only on
segments VII-VIII
liepae
-
21
22
22.
-
Thoracic horn with one row of chaetae longer than width of horn
Chaetae of thoracic horn small, not in a row or absent
23.
-
Spinule patches and large pigmented lateral patches on Tergite I, frontal setae much longer than cephalic tubercles
Spinule and pigment patches absent from Tergite I, cephalic tubercles long, conical, almost as long as frontal setae
24.
-
Anal fringe with about 25-36 taeniae, well developed nose on wing sheath
Anal fringe with 41-61 taeniae, nose of wing sheath weak
25
Frontal setae tubercles small or absent. Segment II with elongate pedes spurii B. Hook row on segment II very narrow,
less than 1/3 tergite width
26
Frontal setae on elongate tubercles. Segment II with insignificant pedes spurii B. Hook row on tergite II greater than 1/3
tergite width
27
-
23
25
richardsi
24
fuscithorax
semibarbitarsus
36
26
-
27
-
Comb on posterolateral corner of segment VIII with a strong, inwardly curved outer tooth and 4-5 smaller inner teeth.
Segment VII with all L setae taeniate
palmatus
Comb on posterolateral corner of segment VIII with several subequal teeth, none curved. Segment VII with L1 fine, L2,3
belairensis
& 4 taeniate
Posterolateral corner of segment VIII with two strong, subequal, straight teeth; thoracic horn with well developed evenly
distributed chaetae on middle 1/3 of horn
“K10”
Posteriorlateral corner of segment VIII with more than two teeth, the outer most of which is curved; thoracic horn with
a patch of chaetae on basal half and rugose on apical half
rosario
Larvae (very provisional)
1
-
Antenna plus Lauterborn organs longer than larval head. Lauterborn organ stem at least as long as segs 2-5
Antenna plus Lauterborn organs no longer than larval head. Lauterborn organ stem shorter than segs 2-5
2
-
All posterior parapod claws simple. S3 seta simple. Antennal pedestal without spur
Some posterior parapod claws serrate. S3 seta plumose. Antennal pedestal with curved spur
3
-
Basal half of second antennal segment pigmented, apex hyaline
Second antennal segment mostly hyaline (slight pigment at base only)
4
-
Serrate posterior parapod claws with 5-6 teeth
Serrate posterior parapod claws with 2 teeth
5
-
Lauterborn organ stem extends distinctly beyond apex of antenna
Lauterborn organ stem extends no further than apex of antenna
6
-
Second antennal segment almost completely hyaline (pale)
Second antennal segment pigmented either totally, or at least all the basal half
7
-
Antennal pedestal with elongate spur
Antennal pedestal with small tubercle at most
belairensis
8
8
-
S3 seta simple. Some posterior parapod claws serrate
S3 seta plumose. Parapod claws ?
“nr B1” *
edwardi
9
-
Apical third of second antennal segment hyaline
Only extreme apex of second antennal segment hyaline
10
11
10
-
Some claws on posterior parapod distinctly serrate
All claws on posterior parapod simple
11
-
S3 seta strongly plumose
S3 seta simple or bifid
12
-
S3 seta bifid. Lauterborn organ stem extends well beyond antennal apex
S3 seta simple. Lauterborn organ stem extends slightly beyond antennal apex
13
-
S3 seta simple.
S3 plumose
14
-
Lauterborn organs large, subequal to stem
Lauterborn organs small, subequal to width of stem
15
Antenna less than 1/2 length of head capsule. Lauterborn organs minute on very short stems, never reaching beyond apex
of antennal segment 3
“K12”
Antenna longer than 1/2 length of head capsule. Lauterborn organs small on stems reaching beyond apex of antennal
segment 3
16
-
16
-
Stem of Lauterborn organ with pigmented band basally. AR 1.3-1.6
Stem of Lauterborn organ without pigmented band. AR 1.7-2.1
17
-
Apical fifth of second antennal segment hyaline.
Second antennal segment fully pigmented.
2
5
“B1”
3
(Kakadu larval species nr C, most) “K2”
4
“K3”
palmatus
6
13
7
9
“K5”
manlyensis
spinosus
12
(K6) bispinosus
fuscithorax
14
17
“K10”
15
formosanus
semibarbitarsus
humphreyi
richardsi
* Pupa inseparable from B1, but larva and adult male differ.
37
Notes on significant Tanytarsus distributions and ecology
T. belairensis is common, probably pollution intolerant, from S. Queensland to Tasmania. NSW: Shoalhaven River (headwaters),
Murrumbidgee River (headwaters), Rutherford Creek (Brown Mountain), Lynches Creek (33o39’S 150o40’E), Micalong Creek.
ACT: many Brindabella Creeks.
T. bispinosus is rare in the south, and may require high water temperatures: in NSW only from the Upper Clarence River in January,
and Shoalhaven (Warri Bridge) in March: otherwise from N.T. and W.A. in warm standing waters.
T. fuscithorax: widespread pollution tolerant species: NSW records: a dystrophic pool nr Moruya; Murray River and polluted
adjacent creeks at Albury, Barbers Creek Dam nr Tallong (34o44’S 150o06’E); Brindabellas, Condor Creek. Tolerant of pesticide
application in artificial streams in S. Queensland.
T. liepae is uncommon, probably pollution intolerant, from Tasmania, Victoria and southern NSW (Rutherford Creek, Mongarlowe
River) and Brindabella creeks.
T. manlyensis is common and pollution tolerant, from insecticide applied channels in S. Queensland, enriched creeks in N.T. and
the Brisbane River. It should be in NSW: I haven’t found it yet.
T. palmatus has been reared from acid streams of south-western Western Australia. Adults are known from a wider range, including
Warragul (Vic.) - the type locality, South Australia and ACT.
T. spinosus is pollution intolerant, from rivers (esp. Buckland, Vic.): in NSW: Barrengarry River at Belmore Falls, headwaters of
Shoalhaven and there are some Murray records from Albury.
Tanytarsus “M1” (Murray 1) is known from the Buckland (N.E. Vic.) and in NSW from Sue City on a shallow arm of Talbingo
Reservoir in January.
Tanytarsus “B1” (Brisbane 1) is known from the Brisbane River and Carnarvon Gorge; in NSW: only from Rutherford Creek
(Brown Mountain) and from a dystrophic pool nr Moruya. Seems to be pollution tolerant.
Tanytarsus “B3” (Brisbane 3) was known from Lake Mackenzie on Fraser Island; in NSW it has been found only on a rather similar
perched lake in Jervis Bay (ACT): Lake Windermere.
Tanytarsus “B4” (Brisbane 4) was known from Lake Benaroon on Fraser Island: it has now turned up in the Upper Clarence River
in January.
Kakadu species of Tanytarsus
(see linked paper)
Far North Queensland Tanytarsus
As species: FNQ1-3 are quite widespread in the streams of the Wet Tropics. Known only as pupae thus far.
Tribe Chironomini
Anuncotendipes
(see linked paper)
(was unknown genus “K9”)
Chironomus
I can only provide the following key to Chironomus larvae derived from Martin’s MDRFC blackboard key: chromosomal analysis
required to go much beyond this.
1
-
Lateral projections long (300-700µm)
Lateral projections short (<150µm) to absent
2
-
Lateral projections large
Lateral projections small to moderate
3
-
5 Premandibular teeth
2 Premandibular teeth
4
-
Gula and dorsal sclerite dark
Gula slightly darkened, dorsal sclerite pale
2
5
nepeanensis
3
vitellinus
4
cloacalis
februarius
+ 3 northern species including plumatisetigerus
38
5
Mid to short lateral projections
oppositus
includes maddeni
6
-
Lateral projections absent
6
-
Head large and dark
Head small and pale
7
-
Eastern Australian
Western Australian
8
-
Ventral tubules straight, reduced
Ventral tubules well developed, especially anterior
7
8
duplex & australis
occidentalis
tepperi
oppositus group including pseudoppositus and jacksoni
Cladopelma
Pupal evidence indicates more than one species, but there are inadequate rearings to confirm with the other life history stages.
Variation in ecology suggests the same: one taxon tolerates the worst conditions of the experimental channels in Brisbane, whereas
others live in the benthos of ultra-oligotrophic lakes - it would be good to have the time to work on this genus in some detail.
Specimens from E0109, 18.iii.1993 seem typical C. curtivalva.
Conochironomus
(see linked paper)
Cryptochironomus
Crytochironomus - see observations on Cladopelma - the same applies to this genus.
Cryptotendipes
Cryptotendipes is recorded from Australia based on one distinctive exuciae from Alligator Rivers Region, N.T.
Demicrytochironomus
Demicrytochironomus is recently added to the Australian list. Three species, all belonging to the recently erected subgenus
Irmakia (Reiss) have been found.
species 1: Shoalhaven at NSW: Warri Bridge, one male pupa.
species 2 from NSW: Deua River, mid-section
species 3 so far only from an oligotrophic lake in the Tasmanian alps.
species ?4 from Qld: Yuccabine Creek.
I can’t identify larval differences that correlate with the four pupal types above. One larva from NSW: E0712, 2.ii.1993, has a
pharate pupa not quite visible enough within.
Dicrotendipes
Dicrotendipes immature stages are common, but rearing has not proved very successful. Thus the large variety of larval types cannot
be linked with certainty to the equally diverse pupal fauna. My early attempts at keying larval species using the number of teeth on
the mentum was unsuccessful due to the variation in the amount of wear, which particularly affects interpretation of the outermost
mental teeth. I have reverted to using the key of Epler (1988) as a base on which to add the larvae of several species unknown to
Epler. This key involves examination of the dorsal surface of the head, which unfortunately is often obscured in ventral whole
mounts. Epler separated two groups of species on counts of the striae - on wider material I cannot substantiate these numerical
distinctions and, as yet, cannot suggest alternative means of species separation.
Key to Australian Dicrotendipes larvae
1
-
Frontal apotome antero-medially with distinct ovoid to subquadrate apotomal fenestra
Frontal apotome antero-medially either without fenestra, with faint transverse “pit”, or with narrow, elongate process
2
9
2
-
Mentum with 6th lateral tooth barely discernible, appressed to 5th, forming bulging lateral contour to mentum
Mentum with distinct 6th lateral tooth; lateral contour less strongly bulging
3
4
3
-
Mandible with transverse outer striations/furrows
Mandible without transverse striations/furrows
4
-
Mentum with first lateral teeth lower than second laterals, sixth higher than fifth
Teeth evenly decreasing in size from first lateral to outermost
5
-
Ventromental plates narrow, medially separated by width of three median mental teeth
Ventromental plates broader, medially separated by little more than width of one median mental tooth
jobetus 1
pelechloris
“larval species A”
5
6
7
39
6
-
Frontal apotome outlined in strongly contrasting dark brown
Frontal apotome not so contrastingly outlined
cumberlandensis
pseudoconjunctus
7
-
Median mental tooth projecting strongly beyond first laterals. Pecten epipharyngis of c. 10 small teeth conjunctus (Walker)
Median mental tooth scarcely projecting beyond first laterals. Pecten epipharyngis of 3-5 strong teeth
8
8
-
Head capsule pale, non-reticulate. Pecten epipharyngis of 3 teeth. Apotomal fenestra distinct
balciunasi Epler
Head capsule mid to dark brown, distinctly reticulate. Pecten epipharyngis of 5-6 teeth. Apotomal fenestra faint
lindae Epler
9
-
Frontal apotome with narrow, elongate process
Frontal apotome at most with with faint outline of fenestra or antero-medial pit
10
-
Mentum with 2nd laterals appressed to 1st laterals
Mentum with 1st and 2nd laterals separate
11
-
Mentum with 6th lateral tooth small and appressed to 5th.
Mentum with 6th lateral tooth distinct from 5th
12
-
Head capsule brown, reticulate
Head capsule pale, stippled
septemmaculatus (Becker)
10
flexus (Johanssen)
11
“FNQ1”, “K4”, sarinae Epler/jonmartini Epler
12
lindae Epler
“CA1”
Key to Australian Dicrotendipes pupae
1
-
Conjunctive V with spines
Conjunctives bare
2
-
Cephalic tubules absent. Posterolateral corner of VIII bare
Cephalic tubules present. Posterolateral corner of VIII nearly always with at least one tooth
3
-
Translucent spinules on conjunctive V, may also be present on III & IV
Conjunctival spinules dark and only on conjunctive V
4
Conjunctive V with interrupted row of large spines; conjunctives III and IV bare or with few spines. Posterolateral corner
of VIII with multi-toothed spur
leei (Freeman)
Conjunctive V with continuous row of smaller spines, conjunctives III and IV with uniserial spine rows. Posterolateral
corner of VIII with single or double weak spine
“FNQ2”
-
2
17
“K4”
3
4
5
5
-
Tergite IX with median spinule patch
Tergite IX without spinules
6
Tergite VIII with paired anterior spinule patches distinctly separated from the posterior patches. Posterolateral corner of
VIII with one or two strong teeth
jobetus Epler
Tergite VIII with two longitudinal patches of spinules, united basally. Posterolateral corner of VIII with multiple smaller
teeth
“K2”
-
6
7
7
-
Segment VIII with spines only on postero-lateral corner
Segment VIII with spines extending onto lateral margin
8
15
8
-
Sternite I with antero-lateral and antero-medial clumps of strong spines
Sternite I lacking clumps of strong spines
9
10
9
-
Tergite I with antero-lateral spine clump
Tergite I bare
10
-
Tergites I extensively spinose; VIII with extensive spine patches undivided into two groups
sarinae Epler+ jonmartini Epler
Tergite I bare; tergite VIII with antero- and postero-lateral paired spinule patches separated into two groups
11
11
-
At least sternite I with extensive and dense spinules or strong shagreen
Anterior sternites without spinules
12
Spines on conjunctive V golden, narrow, numerous, multiserial, backgrpound membrane pale. Sternite I with dense spinules
restricted to anterior half
“K8”
Spines on conjunctive V broader, brown, arising in small clusters from patches of brown pigmented membrane. Sternite I
covered with dense spinules
“FNQ1”
-
balciunasi Epler
“CA1”
12
13
40
13
-
Cephalic tubercles well developed, conical. Spines on conjunctives V/VI paler, row clearly medially interrupted..
conjunctus (Walker) + pseudoconjunctus Epler
Cephalic tubercles minute to absent. Spines on conjunctives V/VI dark arising from dark-pigmented cuticle, row not
obviously medially interrupted
14
14
-
Anal lobe fringe sparse (<25 taeniae), uniserial
Anal lobe fringe denser (>30 taeniae), biserial at least posteriorly
“K7”
?composite “nr K7”
15
-
Tergite VIII with lateral teeth fused basally, sometimes present on VII
Tergite VIII with lateral teeth separated basally
16
-
Tergites II and III with anterior transverse spine band separated from median quadrate area. Sternites II and III with
extensive anterior shagreen
lindae Epler
Tergites II and III with complete subquadrate spine area. Sternites II and III without shagreen
sp. indet. Tasmania
17
-
Postero-lateral corner of VIII with broad subtriangular tooth. Sternite I with antero-lateral spinose tubercle flexus (Johannsen)
Postero-lateral corner of VIII with one or two fine, elongate teeth. Sternite I without spines
18
18
-
Tergite IX spinose
Tergite IX bare
19
-
Armament on tergites V-VI antero-medially interrupted by spine-free zone. Tergite I bare
cumberlandensis Epler
Armament on tergites V-VI complete, tergites II-VI antero-medially with stronger, darker spine patches. Tergite I with
spinule patches
pelochloris (Kieffer)
“K3”
16
septemmaculatus (Becker)
19
(footnotes)
1 This constitutes the first report of the immature stages of D. jobetus.
2Dicrotendipes sarinae Epler, 1988, here is proposed as a junior subjective synonym of Dicrotendipes jonmartini Epler, 1988.
Examination of a wider range of material than was available to Epler, including several rearings of central Australian Dicrotendipes,
indicate that the types of D. sarinae and D.jonmartini represent extremes of relatively minor genitalic variation, as suggested by
Epler (1988). Specimens typically more resemble the genitalia of D. sarinae (Epler, 1988: Fig. 34C,D) than of holotype of D.
jonmartini (Epler, 1988: Fig. 34A,B).
3 This constitutes the first report of the pupa of D. leei - the larva remains unknown.
Notes on Dicrotendipes
There seems to be a wood-mining species that keys as a larva to either D. conjunctus if a frontal apotome pit is present, or if it is
missing (I can’t see) then it keys to D. sarinae or “K4”, from which it differs by having a strongly protruding mental median tooth.
“Wood mining” Dicrotendipes from Nick O’Connor’s survey appear to be D. conjunctus grazing on the surface of snags, rather than
miners.
Dicrotendipes balciunasi (“K1”)
D. balciunasi is a northern species that occurred in the Deua River under summer-warm, low-flow conditions several years ago,
but not since.
NT: Gulungul Creek, .iv.; West arm of West Alligator River, Arnhem Highway, .iv.; Upper East Alligator River, on escarpment,
.v.; Magela Creek, above falls, .v.; Cooper Creek, .v.; Nankeen Billabong, .vi.;
WA: W. Kimberley, Dog Chain Ck., .v.; N. Kimberley, Drysdale R. crossing, .v.; Mertens Falls, .v.; Mitchell Falls, .v., King
Edward R., .v.; E. Kimberley, Dead Horse Spring, .v.
Dicrotendipes conjunctus
This species seems to be the common lowland lotic and slow lentic Dicrotendipes, but its separation from D. pseudoconjunctus is
uncertain in the immature stages. Both species are very tolerant of sediment and agricultural run-off. For some reason both are
difficult to rear, despite their environmental tolerances, and I haven’t enough material to confirm the key characters.
Dicrotendipes cumberlandensis
D. cumberlandensis is quite common in south-eastern large rivers, such as the Clarence and many locations on the Shoalhaven.
Dicrotendipes flexus
This species is known from Berry Springs (N.T.) (material not in ANIC) and one larva that keys to this distinctive type (AWT
code TC 324, W19 21.xii.1993).
Dicrotendipes jobetus
NT: Ranger Retention Pond 1, .v.; Ranger Retention Pond 1, spillway, .iv.; Magela Creek at Stoned Billabong, .iv.; Ranger
Retention Pond 4, .vi.; Jim Jim Creek, Kakadu Highway ford, .v.; Cooper Creek., .v.; Yellow Waters, .v.; Gulungul Creek, .iv.
WA: N. Kimberley, Drysdale R. crossing, .v.; Miner’s Pool, .v.; Mertens Falls, .v.
41
Dicrotendipes leei (=”K5")
NT: Hickey Creek, .v.; Litchfield Pk., Wongi Falls, .viii.; Petherick’s Rainforest, .vii.;
Dicrotendipes lindae
NT: Magela Creek, Stoned Billabong, .iv.; above falls, .v.; Bowerbird Billabong, .v.; below Bowerbird Billabong, .v.;
“Treehouse”, .v.; Jim Jim Creek, above falls, .v.; Radon Spring, warm pool, .iv.; Baroalba Spring, .vi.; Hickey Creek, .v.; Cooper
Creek, .v.; Graveside Creek, .v.; Ranger Retention Pond 1, .v.; Plum Tree Creek, .v.; Koolpin Creek, .v., Barramundie Creek,
below falls, .v.; Gulungul Creek, .iv.; Wildman River at Arnhem Highway Crossing, .vi
Qld: Fraser Island, Lake Jennings, .ix.; Lake Boemingen, .xi., Lake Benaroon, .ix.; Stradbroke Island, Tortoise Lagoon, .i.,
Brown Lake, .i.
WA: E. Kimberley, Emma Gorge, .v.; N. Kimberley, Drysdale River, .v.; Kalumburu, .vi.; King Cascade, .vi.
Dicrotendipes pseudoconjunctus
See under D. conjunctus
Dicrotendipes nr. tenuiforceps
Qld: Brisbane R., Mt. Crosby, .i.;
NT: Nourlangie Creek, .iv.; South Alligator River, Gimbat, .v.; Gulungul Creek, .iv.
WA: Millstream NP, Chinderwarrinder Pool, .iv.; E. kimberley, Emma Gorge, .v.
Dicrotendipes “K2”
NT: Cooper Creek, .v.; Magela Creek at Treehouse, .v.; Graveside Gorge, .vii.; Radon Spring, .iv., .vi.;
WA: W. Kimberley, Dog Chain Ck., .v.; N. Kimberley, Drysdale R. crossing, .v.
Dicrotendipes sarinae (=”K6")
NT: Koolpin Creek, .v.; Barramundie Creek, .v.; Barramundie Gorge, .viii.; Graveside Gorge, .vii.; Nankeen Billabong, .vi
WA: W. Kimberley, Dog Chain Ck., .v.
Fissimentum
(see linked paper)
Harnischia
Harnischia are quite common in sand-bedded rivers and appears often to be misidentified (MDFRC workshop). Pupal exuvial
collections suggest one common species, and several other rarer forms/species.
common species of Harnischia:
NT: South Alligator River, site #1, .vi., Coronation Hill, .vi.; Fisher Creek, .v.; above BHP site, .v.;; Cooper Creek, .v.; Ranger
Retention Pond 4, .vi.; Litchfield Park, Wongi Falls, .viii., Petherick’s Rainforest, .viii.
NSW: Shoalhaven at Hillview, Upper Clarence River; Middle Creek at Beechworth, .iii.
ACT: Molongo River at Coppins Crossing, xi.
WA: Millstream NP, Crossing Pool, .iv.; Kalumburu, .vi.
A species with very dark transverse rows of tubercles, including on tergite I:
WA: Millstream NP, Crossing Pool, .iv.;
NT species: Berry Springs.
Harrisius
Harrisius is rare in the immature stages, but adults turn up quite frequently, especially from the north of Australia. I have one
rearing from the Mitta Mitta River (Vic.) and many adults from the Brindabella. It would be valuable to identify the larval
habitat - some larvae have wood fibres in the gut.
Qld: McIlwraith Range, .vi.-.vii.;
ACT: Brindabellas, Blundells Ck., .iv.;
Vic: Tambo R., .iii.; Mitta R., .iii.; Wulgulmerang Ck (37º04’S 148º15.39"E);
WA: Augustus Island, .vi.
Imparipecten
(see linked paper)
42
Kiefferulus
Kiefferulus includes a marine salt water species (K. longilobus), a common filter-feeding species, K. martini and a common species
with two siblings, K. intertinctus and K. paratinctus. I cannot separate the latter two forms and refer to the composite as “tinctus”.
There are several other species particularly in northern Australia, whose identity and means of separation is the subject of present
studies in conjunction with Jon Martin.
The following key was prepared for the Alligator Rivers Region but may be used with caution elsewhere.
Key to Kiefferulus
Larvae
1
-
Antero-lateral labral margin with long brushes. Pecten mandibularis long, extending inner to mandible. Labral setae very
reduced
martini
Labral margin without brushes. Pecten mandibularis short. Labral setae conventionally developed
2
2
-
Labral sclerite 3 (site of labral seta 2) fragmentary, like sclerite 4
Labral sclerite 3 (site of labral seta 2) complete, unlike fragmentary sclerite 4
3
-
Mola of mandible with distinct bulge. Outermost mental tooth bulbous
Mola of mandible straight. Outermost mental tooth straight
longilobus
3
tumidus (was “K1”)
“tinctus”
Key to Kiefferulus
Pupae
1
-
Tergite VI with posteromedian paired dark tubercles bearing 2-3 dark posteriorly directed hooks. Tergites VII and VIII
with reticulations. All conjunctives bare
martini
Tergite VI without darkened hook-bearing tubercles. Tergites lacking reticulations. Some conjunctives with spinules
2
2
-
Postero-lateral corner of VIII with one broad spine and few smaller spines
Postero-lateral corner of VIII with multiple spines, none dominant
3
-
Conjunctives II/III, III/IV & IV/IV with transverse bands of spinules
Conjunctives II/III, III/IV bare, only IV/IV with transverse bands of spinules
longilobus
3
“tinctus”
tumidus (was “K1”)
Kiefferulus longilobus
This is a marine species recorded from hypersaline waters throughout the Pacific. First Australian record from salt works at Dampier,
WA., more recently from canal estates on the Gold Coast.
Kiefferulus martini
Often associated with dystrophic conditions, and low pH, in standing waters. Filter feeding larva.
NT: Yellow Waters, .v.; Ranger Retention Pond, .v.; Gulungul Creek, .v
WA: Cape Arid N.P., .ix.; Fitzgerald R. N.P., granite pool, .xi.
Kiefferulus “tinctus”
Widespread eastern Australia, distinction between K. intertinctus and K. paratinctus can’t be made at present, hence “tinctus”.
NT: Djalkmara Billabong, .iv.; South Alligator River at Coronation Hill, .vi.; Cooper Creek, .v.; Hickey Creek, .v.
WA: Cape Arid N.P., .ix.; Fitzgerald R. N.P., Hamersley R, .xi., granite pool, .xi.
Kiefferulus tumidus (“K1”)
NT: Flying Fox Creek at Arnhem Highway, .vi.; Djalkmara Billabong, .iv.; South Alligator River at Fisher Creek, .v.;
South Alligator River at Coronation Hill, .vi.; Cooper Creek, .v.; Gulungul Creek, .i.; Magela Creek, .xi.; Koongarra, 15 kms E.
of Mt. Cahill, .x.
Lauterborniella
Pupa from NT: Magela Creek;
NSW: Barrengarry R.
43
Microchironomus
I haven’t been able to work out whether there are one or two species of this genus, and how to separate from some Cladopelma and
the likely northern presence of Cryptotendipes. The common species is very pollution tolerant and may indicate high conductivity
conditions.
Qld: Atkinson’s Dam
WA: Kimberley, Kalumburu.
Microtendipes
There seems to be one species, M. umbrosus which is organic enrichment tolerant but not at all common except in some far north
Queensland streams.
Nandeva
(see linked paper)
Nilothauma
A description of one species is in press (Adam & Saether) based on a formalin-preserved pharate adult, and a putative second pupal
type is distinguished that may be a size variant. Exuvial Nilothauma are quite widespread, but not abundant at any site. Unknown
genus K7 is an previously unrecognised species of Nilothauma.
NT: Cooper Ck; Litchfield Park; 1Pe., Hickey Creek, 29.v.1988,, NSW: Shoalhaven R. Vic.: Tambo R.
Paraborniella
Common in temporary waters.
NT: Kata Djuta, Palm Valley.
NSW: Nerriga, roadside drain;
WA: Yorkrakine Rock.
Parachironomus
There have been very few rearings of Parachironomus to allow linking of several larval types with many pupal types. Distinction
from other Harnischia-group taxa, especially Paracladopelma is not easy. An unusual species with many fine pale teeth on the outer
part of the mentum found in Grose River, Blue Mountains, appears identical to the Northern Territory species “K1”.
Parachironomus “M1”
NSW: Shoalhaven at Warri Bridge (iii)
Parachironomus “K1”
NT: Hickey Creek (v)
NSW: N4301, Groses R., 22.iv.1994 (several larvae)
pupa nr K1, dystrophic pool NSW: N. Congo, nr Moruya.
Parachironomus “K2”
NT: Ja Ja Billabong (vi)
Parachironomus “K3”
NT: Gulungul Creek (iv), upper S. Alligator R. (v).
Parachironomus “K4”
NT: Magela Creek (i, iii)
Paracladopelma
There are rather too few rearings considering the pupal diversity. Pupae of the genus may be common in sandy-bedded rivers, being
generally warm eurythermic but apparently including some cold tolerant species.
Paracladopelma “M1”
Qld: upper Brisbane R. (ix), Sandy Creek Tamborine Mt. (ix).
NSW: Kangaroo Valley (xi), upper Shoalhaven at Gundillion (xi), Molonglo R. at Foxlow, (ii), Bungonia Falls (xi), Rutherford
Creek (xii), Wog R. (iii).
Vic: Mitta Mitta (xii).
Predominantly spring - early summer species in +/- clean sandy-bedded rivers.
44
Paracladopelma “M2”
NSW: Murrumbidgee R., Shoalhaven R at Warri Bridge and Hillview (iii), Deua River (iii); upper R. Murray (iii).
ACT: Murrumbidgee R. (iii)
Vic: Tambo River at Bindi (iii)
Tas: Ringarooma R at Gladstone (ii)
Seems to occur only in autumn, when it can be quite common in clean, sandy-bedded rivers.
Paracladopelma “M3”
Qld: Atkinson Dam.
NSW: E086 (edge), 22.iii.1993 Temp code 289
This species seems tolerant of elevated nutrients, and perhaps higher temperatures but common in south-east Queensland only in
winter months.
Paracladopelma “K1”
NT: Djalkmara Billabong (iv), Cooper Creek (v), Stoned Billabong (iv).
Paracladopelma “K2”
NT: Barramundie Gorge (vii.), S. Alligator R. at Coronation Hill (vi).
Paracladopelma “K3”
NT: Barramundie Creek (v)
Paratendipes
Very common as a pupa, especially in the north, less so as a larva (probably lives in interstitial sand). Apparently only 1, undescribed,
species.
Polypedilum
This is a large and difficult genus. The immature stages are very common, with several species being quite diagnostic of organic
enrichment (e.g. nubifer). I have many rearings and am able to present a key that works for the commoner species: there are some
rarer forms that are not yet included.
Key to Australian Polypedilum
Larvae
1
-
Mentum relatively even, with first lateral tooth approximately same size as second
Mentum uneven, with at least first lateral tooth variably reduced in size relative to median and second
2
-
Premandible with 4-5 teeth. Ventromental plate about 3x as long as wide
Premandible with 2 teeth. Ventromental plate about 2x as long as wide
3
Ventromental plate fan-shaped, with outer margin commencing in antero-medial direction. Antennal segments 3-5
combined longer than 2nd
P. (Polypedilum) prasiogaster
Ventromental plate semi-lunar with outer margin commencing in longitudinal direction. Antennal segments 3-5 combined
equal in length to 2nd
P. (Polypedilum) B1
Lauterborn organs alternate on apices of 2nd and 3rd antennal segments. Mentum with seven pairs of lateral teeth, the 6th
elevated above remainder
P. (Polypedilum) nubifer
Lauterborn organs absent or small and opposite on apex of 2nd segment. Mentum with 6-7 pairs of lateral teeth, relatively
evenly decreasing in size from 3rd to outermost, without dominant 6th
5
4
-
2
4
P. (Pentapedilum) leei
3
5
Antennal segment 3 very short, clearly less than half length of 4th segment
Antennal segment 3 at least half segment 4 length
6
9
6
-
Ventromental plates widely separated, about 2-2.5 x as wide as long
P. (Pentapedilum) K1
Ventromental plates contiguous, or separated medially by no more than width of paired median teeth, about three times as
wide as long
7
7
-
Ventromental plates contiguous, partially overlapping medially
Ventromental plates medially separated by width of paired median teeth
8
-
Lauterborn organ distinct, slightly longer than third antennal segment
Lauterborn organs not visible
P. (Polypedilum) S1
P. (Polypedilum) watsoni
9
-
Ventromental plates 3x as wide as long
Ventromental plates 2 - 2.5x as wide as long
P. (Polypedilum) seorsus
10
P. (Polypedilum) griseoguttatum
8
45
10
-
11
-
12
-
Mandible with three inner teeth. Combined length of 3rd and 4th antennal segments much greater than that of 2nd.
Outermost mental tooth (7th) on line of even slope from 4th to 6th
P. (Polypedilum) vespertinus (M2)
Mandible with two inner teeth. Combined length of 3rd and 4th antennal segments subequal to or less than 2nd. Outermost
mental tooth (7th) small, below line of 4th to 6th
11
Occipital margin yellow. Mentum with dark sclerotisation virtually restricted to teeth. Mandible pale except for darker
teeth and their bases
P. (Pentapedilum) convexum
Occipital margin dark brown. Mentum darkening extending posterior to teeth bases. Apical third of mandible, including
teeth, dark
12
Antennal segments 3 and 4 about equal length. Median (inner) contour of ventromental plate curved anteriorly, tapering to
a fine point
P. (Polypedilum) oresitrophus + M1
Antennal segment 3 appreciably shorter than 4. Median contour of ventromental plate medially directed and bluntly
pointed
P. (Polypedilum) australotropicus (was “FNQ1”)
Key to Australian pupal species of Polypedilum
1
-
Conjunctive III/IV bare, or with few scattered spinules
Conjunctive III/IV with continuous transverse row or band of hooks or spines
2
3
-
Conjunctival transverse band on tergite IV with anteriorly directed spines, appreciably stronger laterally than medially.
Tergite II without median spines anterior to hookrow
P. (Pentapedilum) leei
Conjunctival spine band on tergite IV not differentiated into stronger spines laterally. Tergite II spinose medially
P. (Polypedilum) nr seorsus
Conjunctives III/IV and IV/V with uniserial to biserial transverse band of anterior directed hooks
4
Conjunctives III/IV and IV/V with disorganised multiserial band of fine spines
7
4
-
Tergite VII with anterior transverse spine band. Anal lobe with 10-15 filaments
Tergite VII with, at most, paired anterolateral patches of fine spinules. Anal lobe with >25 taeniate setae
5
Tergite II anterior transverse spine band broad, 3-4 spines deep. Pedes spurii B absent. 3 taeniate L setae on segment VIII
P. (Polypedilum) K4
Tergite II anterior transverse spine band narrow, 1-2 spines deep. Pedes spurii B on sternite IV. 4 taeniate L setae on
segment VIII
P. (Polypedilum) K5
-
-
6
-
7
-
8
9
-
2
3
5
6
Prealar tubercle low and rounded. Tergite II with scattered spines linking anterior and posterior transverse bands. Tergite
VII with median area bare or with few spinules
P. (Polypedilum) oresitrophus
Prealar tubercle finger-like. Tergite II with anterior transverse spine band demarcated from median/posterior spine area.
Tergite VII with anterolateral patches of fine spinules
P. (Polypedilum) M1
Anterior transverse spine band on tergites II-IV scarcely differentiated from and scarcely wider than median patch,
sometimes anterior band with stronger spines
8
Anterior transverse spine band on tergites II-IV often appreciably wider than median spinose area and separated from it by
variably developed spine-free zone,
10
Posterolateral comb on segment VIII with one major tooth, no more than 2 teeth. Tergite VII with paired postero-median
spine patches
P. (Polypedilum) B1
Posterolateral comb on segment VIII with few to many subequal teeth. Tergite VII without postero-median spine patches
9
Tergite VI with anteromedian patch of spines. Comb on posterolateral of segment VIII with 3-4 subdominant teeth
laterally
P. (Polypedilum) watsoni
Tergite VI with anteromedial transverse band of spines extending across much of tergite width. Posterolateral comb of VIII
with many subdominant lateral teeth
P. (Polypedilum) nubifer
10
-
Comb on posterolateral corner of segment VIII absent or of one or two simple, often small, teeth
Comb on posterolateral corner of segment VIII with several subequal teeth
11
17
11
-
Tergite II with anterior transverse band of spines connected to median spinose area
Tergite II with bare median area
12
14
12
-
Anal lobe fringe sparse, c. 20 taeniate setae
Anal lobe fringe of >30 taeniate setae
13
-
Pleurae of segments V & VI with posterolateral group of spinules (perhaps pedes spurii B)
Pleurae bare, pedes spurii only on sternite IV
P. (Polypedilum) K3 “Baroalba”
13
P. (Polypedilum) prasiogaster
P. (Polypedilum) alocasia
46
14
15
16
-
Conjunctive V/VI with transverse band of multiserial spines. Tergite VIII with paired anterolateral patches of strong spines
P. (Polypedilum) vespertinus (M2)
Conjunctive V/VI bare. Tergite VIII with single anteromedian area of fine spines, or bare
15
Wing with nose. Tergites VII and VIII with spine patches, VII with anterior and paired posterior patches of spines, VIII
with anteromedian spine patch
P. (Pentapedilum) K1
Wing without nose. Tergites VII and VIII bare
16
Postero-lateral corner of VIII with stronger dominant tooth and 2-5 smaller laterals. Thoracic horn with one strong spinose
branch and 2-3 weaker short branches
P. australotropicus
Postero-lateral corner of VIII with few subequal spines. Thoracic horn with 6-8 subequal plump branches
P. (Pentapedilum) convexum
17
-
Tergite II spinose medially
Tergite II lacking any median spines
18
-
Tergite I dark; tergites VII and VIII bare
Tergite I pale; tergites VII and VIII with antero-median spine patches
19
Frontal setae on prominent tubercle. Postero-lateral corner of VIII with 3-4 subequal strong teeth
P. (Tripodura) griseoguttatum
Frontal setae with tiny tubercle. Postero-lateral corner of VIII with one dominant large tooth and variable subsidiary teeth
P. “Kosciuszko”
-
18
P. (Polypedilum) K2
Polypedilum S1
19
Some comments on certain Polypedilum
Polypedilum (Cerobregma) sp. Previously reported as “unknown genus K3” (and earlier also K6, which appear to be the same
animal), now recognised as belonging to a disparate subgenus of Polypedilum, recently named as Cerobregma Saether & Sundal
(1999). The pupal figure is tranferred to the end of the Polypedilum section. The larva has not been recognised in Australia yet.
Polypedilum (Pentapedilum) leei: seems pollution tolerant.
NT: Upper Magela Creek, above Falls, .v.; Jim Jim Falls, above falls, .v.;; Ranger Retention Pond 1, spillway, .iv.; Ja Ja
Billabong, .vi.; South Alligator R. at Fisher Ck., .iv.; Nourlangie Creek., .iv.; Jim Jim Creek at Kakadu Hwy Crossing, .v.;
Gulungul Creek, .v.; Cooper Creek, .v.; Hickey Creek, .v.; Yellow Waters, .v.; Katherine R., gorge, .vi.
WA; Millstream NP, Crossing Pool, .iv.; W. Kimberley, Manning Gorge, .iv.; N. Kimberley, Mertens Falls, .v.; Crystal Creek, Old
Boab Camp, .v.
P. (Pentapedilum) convexum: acidophilic, also phytotelm breeder.
NT: Gulungul Creek, Rockhole Mine Creek.
NSW: N93, 19.i.1994 (unreared larva that keys to this, no,pupal confirmation).
P. (Pentapedilum) K1 (probably nodosum Johannsen)
NT: Graveside Ck., Magela Ck., W. Alligator R., Gulungul Ck., Yellow Waters.
NSW: N716, 29.ix.1992, rocks (larva with pharate pupa confirmation).
P. (Polypedilum) australotropicus (was “FNQ1”). see attatched paper.
P. (Polypedilum) nr seorsus
Qld: Tamborine Mt, Cedar Ck.;
NSW: Warrumbungles, Timor Rock, Cocopara N.P., Woolshed Ck.
ACT: Brindabellas, Condor Ck.
P. (Polypedilum) nubifer
Widespread, eurytopic, tolerates high temperatures and nutrient loadings.
NT: Palm Valley, temporary pools, Ranger Retention ponds;
Qld, artificial channels Atkinson Dam;
Vic/NSW: Middle Creek, R. Murray
P. (Polypedilum) oresitrophus
Probably widespread but I have difficulty in distinguishing the species as a larva and the key should be treated with caution.
Certainly reared from N.T.: S. Alligator R., Magela Ck.
P. (Polypedilum) prasiogaster
Vic: Buckland R., R. Murray, Middle Creek, Tambo R.
47
P. (Polypedilum) watsoni
NT: widespread; Qld: Fraser and Stradbroke Is lakes; Brisbane R.;
Vic.: Buckland R.,Tas.: Weld R.
P. (Polypedilum) “alocasia”
Only found in axillary fluid of Alocasia.
Qld: Bunya Mts.
NSW: Dorrigo N.P., Tooloom S.F.
P. (Polypedilum) K2 (“Hickey”)
NT: Hickey Creek only.
P. (Polypedilum) K3 “Baroalba”
NT: Gulungul Ck., S. Alligator R., Cooper Ck., Graveside Ck., Radon Spring, Baroalba Spring, Rockhole Mine Creek.
Acidophilic species.
P. (Polypedilum) K4
NT: Radon Spring; Rockhole Mine Creek.
P. (Polypedilum) K5
Magela Ck., Rockhole Mine Creek.
P. (Polypedilum) M1
Qld: Brisbane R.;
NSW/Vic: R. Murray, Middle Ck., House Ck.,
Vic.: Tambo R., Tas.: Weld R.
P. (Polypedilum) vespertinus (M2)
Qld: Fraser Is, L. Boomanjin.
NSW: Barrengarry R., Rutherford Ck. (Brown Mt.), Shoalhaven R
Vic.: Buckland R.
P. (Polypedilum) B1
Qld.: Bundaroo Ck., ?Atkinsons Dam.
NSW: Shoalhaven R., Mongarlowe R., Molonglo R.
ACT: Brindabellas, Warks Ck., Lees Creek.
Polypedilum S1
Maybe only a dark pigmented version of another species.
NSW: Shoalhaven R.; ACT: Lake Burley Griffin.
P. (Tripodura) griseoguttatum
This seems to be a summer-only species in southern Australia.
NT: Radon Spring (adult), Magela Creek (adult);
NSW: Shoalhaven R., Molonglo R., R. Murray, Noreuil Park.
WA: Charnley R. (adults)
Robackia
N.T.: S. Alligator R., Plum Tree Ck., Cooper Ck., Djalkmara Billabong,
Skusella
Skusella is represented by two species in Australia, distinguishable only in the pupal and adult stages. I think most if not all larval
specimens belong to S. subvittata
Pupal-based unknown genus “K2” (q.v.) may well belong to a second species of Skusella but the association has not yet been made.
Two unreared AWT larvae clearly belongs to this genus (W2, 16.xii.1993; W26, 8.xii.1993).Skusella subvittata
NT: Upper Magela Creek, above falls, .iv.; Wildman River at Arnhem Highway Crossing, .vi.; South Alligator River, Gimbat, .v.;
South Alligator River at Fisher Creek, .v.; South Alligator River at Kakadu Highway ford, .v.; Jim Jim Creek, above falls, .v.; Jim
Jim Gorge, .xi.; Graveside Gorge, .vii.; Hickey Creek, .v.; Upper Magela Creek, below Bowerbird Billabong, .v.; Cooper Creek,
.v.; Katherine R., gorge, .vi.;
WA: Millstream NP, Fortescue R., .iv., Chinderwarrinder Pool, .iv.; Hamersley Range, Fortescue Falls, circular pool, .iv.;
W.Kimberley, Fitzroy R., iv.; Manning Gorge, .v.; N. Kimberley, King Edward R., .v.; Mertens Falls, .v.; Drysdale R. crossing,
.v.; Crystal Ck., .v.
48
Stenochironomus
Stenochironomus watsoni is a common, even ubiquitous species, with very characteristic larva. The species mines in wood, but there
are persistent indications that it may utilise wood surfaces or even leaf packs, thereby making it available to conventional sampling
techniques. There is at least a second species based on pupal exuviae, which was previously referred to as Unknown genus K15 distinctive by virtue of the medially divided hook row. This latter species is known as exuviae only from Queensland locations from
Cooloola to Mossman, and with one specimen from Rockhole Mine Creek in North Queensland.
Stictochironomus
The quite common species appears to be S. fluviatilis, from streams and rivers in eastern Australia as far north as Cape Tribulation..
S. illawara has an unusual biology, living in fine sands at river mouths. Unknown genus K8 from Cooper Creek, Arnhem Land,
appears on reconsideration to belong to Stictochironomus. A further segregate “S1” has been made for exuviae from the Shoalhaven
River, southern NSW.
Xenochironomus
Pupal exuviae of Xenochironomus are frequent in drift, but larvae are rarely found, probably because all larval Xenochironomus
appear to be miners in freshwater sponges. Even knowing this biology, it is difficult to find and rear the larva. In addition, the larval
sclerotised features are always worn nearly flat and are difficult to segregate as species.
A key to the species I recognise as pupae is provided. All pupae conform closer to Holarctic diagnosis, than to the rather similar
genus Axarus.
Note that the species figured as “Xenochironomus australiensis” does not belong to Xenochironomus, but cannot be generically
placed. The true X. australiensis is probably the species “K1” in the key below.
Key to Australian Xenochironomus
Pupae
1
-
Dark spines scattered on tergites. No elongate translucent spines on sternites
“K2”
Dark spines organised into anterior transverse band, at least on tergites IV and V. Elongate translucent spines in speciesspecific pattern on sternites I-III
2
2
-
Tergite VI with dark spines arranged in anterior, transverse band
Tergite VI with dark spines arranged in anteromedian circular patch
3
Tergites IV-VI with transverse dark spine bands medially interrupted. Bands on tergites IV, V transverse, with no posterior
extensions
“K4”
Transverse dark spine band continuous at least on tergite VI. Bands on tergites IV, V, medially with posterior extensions
“K1”
-
4
-
Tergite III without or with few dark spines. Conjunctive V/VI bare
Tergite III with transverse medially interrupted band of dark spines. Conjunctive V/VI with dense fine spinules
3
4
“K3”
“S1”
Xenochironomus “K1” (probably true X. australiensis)
NT, Litchfield Park, Wongi Falls, .viii.; South Alligator River at Fisher Creek, .v.; Jim Jim Creek at Kakadu Hwy, .v.; South
Alligator River, site #2A, xii.
Qld, Stradbroke Island, Brown Lake, .i.; Mount Stanley, Upper Brisbane River, .i.; Mount Crosby, Brisbane River, .i.;
NSW: Upper Clarence River, Gaya-Dari, .i.; SE Araluen, Deua River, .iii.; SE Araluen, Deua River, .xii.
ACT: Jervis Bay, Lake McKenzie, .xii
Xenochironomus “K2”
NT: South Alligator River at Gimbat, .iv.; Jim Jim Gorge, .xi.
NSW: Shoalhaven R., .iii.;
ACT: L. Burley Griffin, .ii.
Xenochironomus “K3”
NT: Jim Jim Creek at Kakadu Highway ford, .v.;
Qld: Carnarvon Ck., .vii.;
ACT: Jervis Bay, Black’s Waterhole, .xii.; Lake Burley Griffin, Lotus Bay, .ii.
49
Xenochironomus “K4”
NT: Katherine R., gorge, .vi.; E. Alligator R., on escarpment, .v., SOuth Alligator R., Coronation Hill, v.
Qld: Carnarvon Ck., .vii.; Brisbane R., Mt. Crosby, .i.
WA: Millstream N.P., Chinderwarrender Pool, .iv.; Crossing Pool, .iv.; Fortescue River below homestead, .iv.
Xenochironomus “S1”
Qld: U. Brisbane R., Mount Stanley, .i.
Zavreliella
Key to Australian Zavreliella
Larvae
1
-
Median mental teeth paired, long; first laterals small. Setae submenti placed within border of ventromental plate
Z. marmorata
Median mental teeth paired or single, short, recessed; first laterals large. Setae submenti placed outside border of ventromental
plate
2
2
-
First lateral mental tooth largest (extending most anteriorly), at least no shorter than third tooth
Third lateral mental tooth largest (extending most anteriorly)
3
-
Median mental tooth single; second antennal segment only slightly shorter than third
Median mental teeth paired; second antennal segment half length of third
“S1”
3
“Steavenson R.”
“K1”
The presence in Australia of the cosmotropical species Z. marmorata is confirmed by Reiss (1990), based on unreared adults from
the Northern Territory (Magela Creek). Sporadic pupal exuviae in the area appear to belong to Z. marmorata, and one unreared
larva that fits the species description was found by Jon Martin at site “022” in Kakadu. An identical larva has been found in NSW
at site “N53” (Nepean River).
Three further species that clearly belong in Zavreliella have turned up as larvae: all are unreared and there is no pupal evidence to
confirm their identity.
Zavreliella “S1” is known from single specimens from NSW “PG K4” and from Lees Creek in the Brindabellas (ACT) respectively,
both collected in April.
Zavreliella “Steavenson” is known only from few larvae in the Steavenson River in Victoria.
Zavreliella “K1” is drawn based on a specimen from the Alligator Rivers Region (not retained in ANIC): its distinctness and even
generic identity is uncertain. The ventromental plate striations (as drawn) obviously differ from congeners, whereas the mentum
shape and antennal ratios resembles “S1”.
The “unknown genera” of Chironomini
Unknown genus K1
This taxon has been reared from larvae mining in immersed wood, where it co-occurs with another wood mining genus,
Stenochironomus. The larva is unrelated to any of the other known wood miners and on larval characters appears to belong to a
group centred on Paratendipes. The pupa and adult male show less resemblance to Paratendipes and allies. In several characters the
adult male appears to be very basal in the Chironomini lineage, sharing a number of character states with the Tanytarsini. Cladistic
(phylogenetic) analysis of this grouping is required before the ranking and relationship of this taxon can be ascertained.
NT: South Alligator River, Coronation Hill, .vi.; Baroalba Spring, .vi.; Radon Spring, .iv.; Mudginberri Billabong, .iv.
Unreared males
NT: South Alligator River, Coronation Hill, .vi.; Radon Spring, .iv.
Unknown genus K2
Since the 1996 edition, the larva previously known as “?Stictochironomus” has been associated with the pupa “unknown genus K2”.
The taxon cannot be allocated yet with certainty to Skusella or Paratendipes although clearly belonging to this clade. The pupa has
a distinctive Skusella-like partial lateral fringe on segment VI, but the 5 taeniate LS on segment VIII and the shape of the comb on
the posterolateral corner of TVIII is unlike that of typical Skusella.
Specimens were known from the South Alligator River, Hickey Creek, Djalkmara Billabong in ARR, and Fortescue Falls in
northern Western Australia. Since that time a second taxon has been discovered in the Brindabellas, and the original species range
extended to include Lawn Hill and Cooloola (Queensland) and the Nepean River (NSW).
Unknown genus K3, K6.
see Polypedilum (Cerobregma) sp.
50
Unknown genus K4
This taxon remains known only from 1Pe, from Cooper Ck, in west Arnhem Land
Unknown genus K5
This taxon remains known only from 1Pf, from Ranger Retention Pond, ARR.
Unknown genus K7
This pupa is recognised now as a species of Nilothauma (q.v.)
Unknown genus K8
This taxon remains known only from 1Pe, from Cooper Ck, in west Arnhem Land
Unknown genus K9
This taxon is now named as Anuncotendipes q.v. in a published manuscript.
Unknown genus K10
This taxon was known from one pupa from Barramundie Gorge, Kakadu N.P. Now recognised from Rockhole Mine Creek in
Kakadu, from Mitchell Falls, N. Kimberley, and Davies and Birthday Creek, Far North Queensland. It remains known only from
pupal exuviae.
Unknown genus K14
species a known only from Rockhole Mine Creek, Magela Creek and Nourlangie Ck in Kakadu, and several creeks from north-west
Kimberley.
species b known from Magela Creek and similar creeks in north-west Kimberley.
No more records since 1996.
Unknown genus K15
Now recognised as a Stenochironomus species possessing a split hook row on pupal tergite II.
Unknown genus K16
This pupal exuvial taxon remains known only from Magela and Rockhole Mine Creeks.
Unknown genus K17
This pupal exuvial taxon remains known only from Magela Creek.
Unknown genus S1
In addition to the 1996 record from the Shoalhaven River, southern NSW, several exuviae have been found in Cooloola N.P.
southern Queensland in a sandy-bedded creek.
“Unknown genus ?”
This is an unusual and distinctive larva from several Kakadu streams that may be a wood miner judging by its gut contents.
Unknown genus ? Stelechomyia
Known only from a larva - provenance and current location of specimen unknown.
“Skusella / V12”
Represents a rearing of a distinctive larva from Western Australia (Don Edward’s “V12”) to a pupa that would be allocated to
Skusella - the subject of ongoing revisionary study.
Unknown genera FNQ2, FNQ4 and FNQ5
Represent 3, of several, unknown pupal types from the Wet Tropics of North Queensland, all deriving from shaded streams at
elevations of up to 1200 m a.s.l.
51
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