Paraphaenocladius exagitans

The subspecies P. e. longipes can be distinguished from the nominal subspecies by its elongated legs, as indicated by the subspecies name. Most other morphological characters of the subspecies fall within the variation range of P. exagitans sensu stricto. Females, pupae, and larvae of P. e. longipes have been described and can be identified using keys to Orthocladiinae.

Small springs with slow water flow, characterized by mosses on the margins and silt-fine sand substrate. Also found in terrestrial and semi-terrestrial environments.

Known from Central and South America and the Caribbean: Costa Rica, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, possibly Bolivia, and southeastern Brazil (São Paulo State, Jardinópolis, Rio Pardo area).

Larvae construct delicate tubes using fine-sand grains and mine moss leaves. Development from collection to first pupa has been observed to take approximately 20 days under laboratory conditions. The life stages include egg, larva, pupa, and adult, with females, pupae, and larvae described for the subspecies P. e. longipes.

Larvae build delicate tubes using fine-sand grains and mine moss leaves.

• Paraphaenocladius exagitans exagitans (nominal subspecies)P. e. longipes differs primarily in leg length, with most other characters falling within the variation range of the nominal subspecies.

• Chironomidae
• Orthocladiinae
• aquatic insect
• Neotropical
• spring-dwelling

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• First record of Paraphaenocladius exagitans longipes Sæther & Wang 1995 (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae) from Brazil