A new species of Macropelopia Thienemann (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the Italian Alps

Macropelopia rossaroi sp. n. is described on the basis of adult males collected in two high-altitude glacial ponds (2455 m a.s.l.) in the Italian Alps (Trentino). in the same area, also adults and pupal exuviae of M. nebulosa were found, even as associated material. Adults of the two species clearly differ in the morphology of their antenna, hypopygium and legs. The same glacial ponds also hosted pupae of M. spec. Norwegen (nebulosa group), known before only as pupal exuvia collected by Brundin in a subarctic lake (northern Norway). Pupae of M. spec. Norwegen and M. nebulosa clearly differ in their thoracic horn structure. The finding of adult males of M. rossaroi and pupal exuviae of M. spec. Norwegen in the same sites, in addition to male pharate adults of M. nebulosa, led to the hypothesis that the new species could be associated with M. spec. Norwegen.