Tinodes waeneri (Linnaeus 1758)

Distribution. This species is widely distributed in Europe (Malicky 2013; Morse 2021; Neu et al., 2018) and it has been recorded in Morocco by Dakki (1982), Mabrouki et al. (2020), and Mosely (1938). This is a new record for Algeria.

Ecological Note: The springs and water upwellings connected to the wadis are habitats of the larvae of Tinodes . The lighter colored larvae (morphotype 1) were collected from shaded habitats while the darker larvae (morphotype 2) were collected from habitats exposed to sunlight. Melanism or dark coloration in insects has been related to diverse selection mechanisms, with UV light protection among them; melanic forms have higher resistance to UV radiation than less melanic forms (True 2003; Lencioni 2004).

Taxonomical Note. The larva is identical to the Tinodes larva figured by Mabrouki et al. (2020), and Vieira-Lanero (2000) except in the intensity of the coloration. We distinguish two morphotypes: