Wojciech Giłka

Morphology and histology of secretory setae in terrestrial larvae of biting midges of the genus Forcipomyia (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).

Apneustic larvae of the genus Forcipomyia possess unique secretory setae located on the dorsal surface along the body in two rows, one pair on each thoracic and abdominal segment and two pairs on the head. Morphological and histological studies of secretory setae in fourth instar larvae of Forcipomyia nigra (Winnertz) and Forcipomyia nigrans Remm indicate they are modified mechanoreceptors (sensilla trichodea) in which the trichogen cell is a glandular cell producing a hygroscopic secretion. The cytoplasm of the glandular trichogen cell fills the lumen of a secretory seta, which shows one or more pores on the apex. The cytoplasm contains numerous microtubules responsible for transportation of proteinaceous vesicles, and an extremely large polyploid nucleus typical of gland cells. The main role of the hygroscopic secretion is to moist the body and thus facilitate cuticular respiration.

The Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the collection of the Museum of Amber Inclusions, University of Gdańsk.

Non-biting midges of the tribe Tanytarsini collected in the Museum of Amber Inclusions, University of Gdańsk, Poland, are reviewed. Among over 1500 chironomid specimens examined (inclusions in Baltic amber), 44 Tanytarsini individuals were found, of which 27 well preserved specimens were determined to 7 species, including 3 species described as new. Stempellinella electra sp. nov. (male) displays morphological hypopygial characters unique for the genus, and the antenna composed of 13 flagellomeres. A new checklist of fossil and extant species of this genus is also given, including Stempellinella sofiae (Fusari et Lamas, 2014) comb. nov. Tanytarsus glaesarius sp. nov. (male) is the only Eocene species of the genus with a reduced number of antennal flagellomeres. Tanytarsus protogregarius sp. nov. (male) is the oldest known representative of the gregarius species group. Notes on phylogenetic relations of the new species with their extant congeners are also provided.

Tanytarsini (Diptera: Chironomidae) of the Kashubian Lakeland

Chironomids of the tribe Tanytarsini of the Kashubian Lakeland (N Poland) are represented by 52 species, amounting over half of the Polish and almost third part of the European fauna. Most abundant species in the studied region are Cladotanytarsus mancus (Walker) and C. atridorsum Kieffer and the most frequent – C. mancus and Paratanytarsus inopertus (Walker). Adult Tanytarsini fly from the beginning of April to the second decade of October, reaching four peaks with a higher number of species during a season – spring, late spring, summer and late summer, with a maximum at the end of July. Most of species are recognized as polyor bivoltine and three species as univoltine. Cladotanytarsus teres Hirvenoja, Micropsectra logani (Johannsen), Parapsectra styriaca (Reiss), Stempellinella flavidula (Edwards), Tanytarsus aberrans Lindeberg, T. multipunctatus Brundin and Thienemanniola ploenensis Kieffer, recorded in the Lakeland, are annotated as rare in Poland and Central Europe. Tanytarsus mancospinosus Ekrem & Reiss and T. nigricollis Goetghebuer are new in the Polish fauna.

Immature stages of two European species of the subgenus Meloehelea (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), with keys to the European subgenera of Atrichopogon

Larvae and pupae of Atrichopogon winnertzi Goetgebuer and A. oedemerarum StorA are described and illustrated. Larvae of both species are terrestrial and associated with rotting pine wood. Diagnoses are given for all stages. Immature stages of A. oedemerarum are described for the first time. A. meloesugans Kieffer, 1922 is recognized as a junior synonym of A. winnertzi Goetghebuer, 1922. Keys are provided to European subgenera of Atrichopogon based on all stages.

In the Eocene, the extant genus Caladomyia occurred in the Palaearctic (Diptera: Chironomidae: Tanytarsini)

ABSTRACT The first fossil representative of Caladomyia SÄWEDAL, 1981, C. szadziewskii sp. n., is described from Eocene Baltic amber. The genus is so far known from extant species distributed in America, mainly in the Neotropical region.

Gedanoborus kerneggeri , gen. et sp. nov. (Diptera: Chaoboridae) from Eocene Baltic amber

New genus and new species Gedanoborus kerneggeri from Eocene Baltic amber is described and illustrated. Its systematic position is discussed. The new genus together with fossil Taimyborus Lukashevich, 1999 form sister groups of extant subfamilies Chaoborinae + Eucorethrinae. Tertiary genus Eochaoborites Hong, 2002 is excluded from the Chaoboridae and transferred to Psychodidae. A key for the identification of phantom midges from Baltic amber is provided.

Towards the diversity of non-biting midges of the tribe Tanytarsini from Eocene Baltic amber (Diptera: Chironomidae)

This work is a systematic study of non-biting midges (Chironomidae) of the tribe Tanytarsini found in Baltic amber (Gulf of Gdańsk, ~40-45 Ma) collected by C. and H.W. Hoffeins, Hamburg, Germany. Given the rarity of Tanytarsini species/specimens so far recorded in Eocene ambers of the Baltic region, known from 17 species in eight genera, the Hoffeins collection is distinguished by its relatively high diversity. Among chironomid specimens collected, 39 Tanytarsini adult males were found, including 28 individuals studied in detail. They belong to 12 species from seven genera, including three new species. Rheotanytarsus hoffeinsorum sp. nov. is the second known Eocene species of the genus. Tanytarsus crocota sp. nov. and Stempellinella fibra sp. nov. display sets of unique characters in these genera. Emended diagnoses of Archistempellina falcifera Giłka and Zakrzewska, 2013 and A. perkovskyi Giłka and Zakrzewska, 2014, hitherto known from single individuals, and morphological variability in selected Eocene species of the genus Tanytarsus van der Wulp, 1874, are also presented. As a synthesis of our work and comparisons achieved in order to define the taxa studied, a key to the identification of all Eocene Tanytarsini genera (8) and species (20) known from Baltic amber is provided. Marta Zakrzewska. Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland. marta.zakrzewska@biol.ug.edu.pl Wiesław Krzemiński. Institute of Systematic and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016 raków, Poland. krzeminski@muzeum.pan.krakow.pl Wojciech Giłka. Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Parasitology, University of Gdańsk Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland. wojciech.gilka@biol.ug.edu.pl (corresponding author).

Why on the snow? Winter emergence strategies of snow‐active Chironomidae (Diptera) in Poland

A long‐term study of adult non‐biting midges (Chironomidae) active in winter on the snow in mountain areas and lowlands in Poland yielded 35 species. The lowland and mountain communities differed significantly in their specific composition. The mountain assemblage was found to be more diverse and abundant, with a substantial contribution from the subfamily Diamesinae, whereas Orthocladiinae predominated in the lowlands. Orthocladius wetterensis Brundin was the most characteristic and superdominant species in the winter‐active chironomid communities in both areas. Only a few specimens and species of snow‐active chironomids were recorded in late autumn and early winter. The abundance of chironomids peaked in late February in the mountain and lowland areas with an additional peak in the mountain areas in early April. However, this second peak of activity consisted mainly of Orthocladiinae, as Diamesinae emerged earliest in the season. Most snow‐active species emerged in mid‐ and late winter, but their seasonal patterns differed between the 2 regions as a result of the different species composition and the duration of snow cover in these regions. Spearmans rank correlation coefficient tests yielded positive results between each season and the number of chironomid individuals recorded in the mountain area. A positive correlation between air temperature, rising to +3.5 °C, and the number of specimens recorded on the snow in the mountain community was statistically significant. The winter emergence and mate‐searching strategies of chironomids are discussed in the light of global warming, and a brief compilation of most important published data on the phenomena studied is provided.

The peculiar winter-active midge Diamesa starmachi (Diptera: Chironomidae).

ABSTRACT Morphological variations in brachypterous and fully-winged forms of Diamesa starmachi KOWNACKI et KOWNACKA, 1970, including the first description of the female, are presented. Notes on the biology of this winter-active chironomid, based on new data from Poland, are also provided.

First Description of Polytene Chromosomes in Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

ABSTRACT Polytene chromosomes are described from secretory cells in larvae of Forcipomyia nigra (Winnertz). They are present in large glandular-trichogen cells at the bases of secretory setae and in midgut cells that were observed by transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy. Polytene chromosomes, isolated from the glandular-trichogen cells using aceto-orcein squash technique, measure 50–200 µm, have braid-like strands of chromatin and no bands, features that are unique within the Culicomorpha.