Strenzke, 1950
Body
Small larvae up to 4 mm long. Ethanol preserved larvae are pale yellow with rusty stains on thorax and last abdominal segments. The procercus, anterior and posterior parapods are absent. The anal segment bears a ring of claws around the anal tubules leaving the posterior margin clear Parasm anal segments (Wiederholm, 1983; Moller Pillot, 1984b).
Antenna
The antenna is very short and consists of four segments. The blade is much longer than the flagellum. Lauterborn organs are present Parasm antenna.
Mentum
The mentum has one broad median teeth and 5 pairs of lateral teeth. The ventromental plates are distinct but do not cover any teeth of the mentum. The beard is absent Parasm mentum.
Labrum
The pecten epipharyngis consists of three small scales, SI is palmate and the premandible has two apical teeth and a broad inner tooth Parasm labrum premandible (Wiederholm, 1983; Moller Pillot, 1984b).
Mandible
The mandible has an exceptionally short apical tooth and 3 inner teeth. The seta interna has finely serrate branches (Wiederholm, 1983).
Differential characteristics
The absence of posterior parapods and procercus shares Parasmittia with Camptocladius. Parasmittia differs from Camptocladius by the 4 segmented antenna Parasm antenna (3 in Camptocladius Campctcl sterc antenna), mentum with 5 pairs of lateral teeth Parasm mentum (4 in Camptocladius Camptcl sterc mentum) and mandible with 3 inner teeth (4 in Camptocladius).