Morphological description of the last instar larva of Tipula (Pterelachisus) cinereocincta mesacantha Alexander, 1934 (Diptera: Tipuloidea: Tipulidae)，a newly recorded crane fly from China

Abstract

Abstract Tipuloidea (crane flies) is one of the most species-rich groups of Diptera, including over 15,000 species worldwide, with a wide variety of habitats. However, relatively less attention has been paid to the larvae of crane fly in contrast to the better-known adults. In this study, Tipula (Pterelachisus) cinereocincta mesacantha Alexander, 1934 is added into the fauna of China, which larvae were found beneath a piece of moss in a forest of eastern Liaoning. The external structures of the larva are described thoroughly with light microscopic illustrations. Meanwhile, with scanning electron microscopy, more detailed structures of the larval head capsule, the antenna and the mouthparts, are firstly present for the larvae of Tipula (Pterelachisus). Some microscopic structures, including the paired peg-like sensilla on the central teeth of epipharynx, and a pair of cushiony lobes anterior to the teeth, are newly recorded for the crane fly larva. Morphological differences and variations of the larval structures between T. (P.) cinereocincta mesacantha and its related species or genera are discussed. The discovery would provide new data and insights for the further research on the taxonomy and phylogeny, as well as some evidences of the biology and adaption of crane fly larvae.