Acinoretracus, a new afrotropical genus for some species previously placed in dicrotendipes (Diptera: Chironomidae: Chironominae)

Abstract

A new genus, Acinoretracus, is established for four Afrotropical species previously placed in Dicrotendipes. These species are Chironomus (Carteria) regalis Goetghebuer, 1936 (selected as type-species for Acinoretracus); Ch. (Dicrotendipes) multispinosus Freeman, 1957; Ch. (D.) penicillatus Freeman, 1957; and Ch. (D.) crispi Freeman, 1957. The adult male and female, pupa and larva are described and figured for A. multispinosus and A. penicillatus, and notes are given for the other two species. Acinoretracus is very close to Kiefferulus but can be distinguished by the following characters: adult male: superior volsella with dense apical brush of long, fine setae, without large setae; inferior volsella with narrowed, upturned apex bearing several apical setae; adult female: gonocoxite IX vestigial, without setae; pupa: cephalic tubercles low, rounded; thoracic horn base with anteriorly directed flange-like lobe; long, taeniate ventral antepronotal and anterior precorneal setae; pedes spurii B and larval ventral tubules absent; larva: S I plumose on inner side only; mentum with first and second lateral teeth not fused; short and wide, medially contiguous ventromental plates, with basally forked striae; mandible with rugose lateral margin and U shaped pecten mandibulars; lateral and ventral tubules absent.