Kieffer, 1909
Body
Medium sized to large larvae up to 10 mm long. Mostly a very shallow hump is present on the 11th segment, rarely a very distinct hump (M. fusca). The posterior parapods bear about 30-100 simpel claws Mips anal claws (Klink, 1982a; Wiederholm, 1983).
Head
The S3 is simpel or branched (M. bidentata Mips bidentata head dorsal).
Antenna
The antenna stands on a pronounced pedestal usually with a small apical spur Mips small spur ant pedestal (M. bidentata a large projection Mipsbi large distal proj ant p and M. fusca bare) consists of 5 segments. The basal segment is much longer than the flagellum. Segment 2 is cylindrical and longer than the remaining segments. The small Lauterborn organs distally on segment 2 with a pedestal that is 3-5x the length of segment 3-5.
Mentum
The mentum has a crenate median tooth and 5 pairs of lateral teeth often the second lateral is smaller than the neighbouring teeth Micropsectra mentum. The ventromental plates are close together medially and wider than the mentum.
Labrum
SI is a comb and labral lamellae a single plate with numerous apical teeth. The pecten epipharyngis consists of a single plate with distal teeth. The premandible has 2 teeth Mips labrum pe premandible.
Mandible
The mandible with a dorsal tooth, apical tooth and 3 inner teeth all brown. The pecten mandibularis is present and seta interna with branches.
Differential characteristics
Distinctive for most species is the small apical spur on the antennal pedestal Mips small spur ant pedestal. M. bidentata with a large projection Mipsbi large distal proj ant p can be separated from Tanytarsus gr. brundini by the larger number of claws and Micropsectra fusca (with a bare pedestal and a distinct hump on the 11 segment) can be separated from Krenopsectra by its much larger size (10 mm vs 5 mm in Krenopsectra).
Diversity
European species: 22
Treated species:
Micropsectra apposita
Micropsectra atrofasciata
Micropsectra bidentata
Micropsectra fusca
Micropsectra junci
Micropsectra lindrothi
Micropsectra notescens
Micropsectra recurvata
Micropsectra Sterkselse Aa