Platypalpus clarandus (Collin)

Kustov, Semen, Shamshev, Igor & Grootaert, Patrick, 2015, New data on the genus Platypalpus (Diptera: Hybotidae) from the Caucasus with description of seven new species, Zootaxa 3973 (3), pp. 451-473 : 455

Platypalpus clarandus (Collin)

Tachydromia claranda Collin, 1926: 157 .

Material examined. RUSSIA: Adygea Republic: Caucasian Nature Reserve, ridge Kamennoe more, plateau Lago-Naki, 25.vii.2013, S. Kustov (19 ♂, 13 ♀, KSU). Krasnodarskiy Territory: Apsheronskiy district, ridge Azish-Tau, Nature Reserve “Kamyshanova Polyana”, 2–6.vi.2011, Shamshev (7 ♂, ZIN); same data, 18.vi.2011, Shamshev (2 ♂, 2 ♀, ZIN); same data, 22–25.vi.2013, S. Kustov (1 ♀, KSU); same data, 13.vi.2014, S. Kustov (1 ♂, KSU); same data, 20.vii.2014, V. Gladun (1 ♀, KSU).

Distribution. Belgium, Britain, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Russia (Krasnodarskiy Territory, Adygea), Slovakia, Sweden.

Remarks. In the original description and redescription, Collin (1926, 1961) indicates that the postpedicel is black or brownish black. We have a large series of P. clarandus from the Caucasus and some specimens differ by the postpedicel being narrowly yellow at the base. In the key to the Caucasian species P. clarandus is included twice, taking this variability into account. This species is recorded from the Caucasus for the first time. Platypalpus clarandus is very common (sometimes in large gatherings) in mountain forest and subalpine meadows (1200–2000 m a.s.l.) and is active during June and July.