Tipula (V.) virgatula species group

The virgatula species group was proposed by Savchenko (1960, 1964) with additional discussion by Dia & Theowald (1982). Males of the virgatula group are characterized by the following features: gonocoxite large, triangular or nearly rectangular flatish plates, tergite 9 forming a weakly modified tergal plate. An additional feature that could characterize males of the virgatula group is small gonapophyses. The ovipositor of females has the hypovalvae greatly reduced tooth-shaped. Savchenko suggested that the virgatula group separated from the most primitive ancestors. Dia & Theowald (1982) had a similar opinion, assuming that virgatula is an old group in the subgenus T. ( Vestiplex). The virgatula group includes the following Palaearctic species: T. (V.) aestiva Savchenko, 1960, T. (V.) fernandezi Theowald, 1972, T. (V.) fragilicornis Riedel, 1913, T. (V.) kosswigi Mannheims, 1953, T. (V.) longitudinalis Nielsen, 1929, T. (V.) opilionimorpha Savchenko, 1955, T. (V.) relicta Dia & Theowald, 1982, T. (V.) vaillanti Theowald, 1977 and T. (V.) virgatula Riedel, 1913 .