This larva was collected (among many others) from a small stream in West Hungary. I have tried to identify it, but marks given by the keys i have does not fit for the specimens.
A fact that makes this case more difficult, that the abdomen is completely missing so the gills cannot be used for more accurate identification.
I have uploaded some detail pictures which represent marks and traits.
Thank you in advance for the help!
Hi Peter,
Your pictures correspond to a Platycnemididae (Platycnemis sp.) not to a Coenagrionidae. I recommend you the use of specific identification keys to avoid this kind of mistakes. Askew, Carchini; Heiedemann and Seidebusch; provide suitable identification keys for european region.
Nowadays it is impossible to distinguish species of Platycnemis in larval stages.
Thank you Alfonso!
Then it looks like I've gone wrong somewhere. If it's Platycnemidae then the further ID will be easy, because the family has only one species in the region (P. pennipes).
- The setae arrangement ( a clear row) in the prementum indicates that is a Platycnemididae; the prementum setae arrangement in Coenagrionidae is oblique (two oblique rows). Yes, I checked the Platycnemis species for your región and you are right.
I also checked setae arrangement and I found that I was a bit unaware of this mark.
Hi Peter,
As Alfonso already wrote, the 4 setae in a single straight row (inner side of prementum) are very characteristic for Platycnemididae. In Hungary you only have Platycnemis pennipes. The shape of the angled occiput fits very well too.
No question: P. pennipes - a very common stream dweller in Central Europe.
Hi Peter,
I agree - the four setae in a line on the prementum are characteristic of Platycnemis. You should also find that there are teeth on the outer edge of the labial palpi and the eyes often have dark lines running down them (look it in the face to see this at its best).
Cheers,
Richard
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