Sensu Chernovskij, 1961; sub Cryptochironomus macropodus Ljachov, 1941
Body
Small thread-like larvae up to 5 mm long. Massive claws on the anterior parapods cover the entire headcapsule Cryp macrop ant claws 8. No lateral and ventral tubules. Posterior parapods are slender and directed ventrally (Chernovskij, 1961).
Head
Antenna
The antenna is more than half the head length with 6 segments Cryp macrop head pict. The blade on the 2nd segment is shorter than the flagellum. The 3d segment is about as long as the 2nd segment, with a pair of lauterborn organs on long pedicels. The segments 4 - 6 are small (Chernovskij, 1961).
Mentum
The anterior margin of the mentum is convex with 2 middle teeth and 5 pairs of lateral teeth diminishing in size. All teeth are pale. The ventromental plates are shaped like "fingernail clams" Cryp macrop head pict (Chernovskij, 1961).
Labrum
Two very long 3-segmented setae on the labrum are about half as long as the antenna.
Mandible
The mandible with a dorsal tooth about at 2/3 of the mandible, a long apical tooth and 3 small inner teeth.
Differential characteristics
Chironomini genus? macropodus is the only European species with claws on the anterior parapods that are almost as large as the head Cryp macrop ant claws 8.