Hydrotaea similis

One of the larger Hydrotaea species at up to 10mm in length. Generally black with some pale grey dusting on the abdomen and pale stripes at the top of the thorax. Males have ornamentation on the underside of the front femora including a short, sharp spine at the apical end. Vein m bends slightly towards the wing.

Hydrotaea dentipes and H. palaestrica are also large and have vein m with a slight bend. On H. dentipes, the ventral setae on the mid femora are very long - 3x the depth of the femur.

Males

• ornamentation on front femora, including sharp spine
• bare eyes
• vein m slightly bent towards the wing edge
• mid femur with around 4 strong setae in basal half, no more than 2x femur depth

Often in hilly or well wooded areas.

Peak is in May and June.

The few available records show a wide distribution in England.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.