Taxonomy of the genus Platysmittia Sæther (Diptera: Chironomidae), with comments on its ecology and phylogenetic position

Diagnoses are provided for the larva and pupa of Platysmittia for the first time. Descriptions of the male and female of P. bilyji and the male of P. fimbriata are emended to include material from Maryland and Pennsylvania. Specific descriptions and diagnoses are presented for the larva and pupa of P. bilyji and the larva, pupa, and female of P. fimbriata. Larvae of the genus appear to inhabit primarily intermittent streams in forested watersheds. The larvae and pupae of Platysmittia indicate that the genus belongs within the clade comprised of the Heterotrissocladius. Parakiefferiella and Cardiocladius groups plus Psilometriocnemus, and is probably most closely related to the Heterotriissocladius group and Psilometriocnemus.