Identification of larvae of European species of Chironomus Meigen (Diptera: Chironomidae) by morphological characters

Abstract Variation in the morphology of larvae of twenty-six cytologically identified species of Chironomus Meigen from Europe is described. Characters studied include tubules on posterior abdominal segments, head pigmentation, mental size and teeth, mandibular and epipharyngeal teeth and antennae. A key to the species, based on these characters and ventromental plate features, is presented.