Conochironomus Freeman: an Afro‐Australian Chironomini genus revised (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The chironomid genus Conochironomus is revised, with diagnoses provided for both sexes of adults and, for the first time, the immature stages. The Afrotropical genotype C.acutistilus Freeman and the newly described Australian species C.australiensis (for misidentified acutistilus in Australia), C.cygnus and C.kakadu are described in all stages. C.avicula Freeman is redescribed from the male, and C.deemingi is described as new from the male alone, both from the Afrotropical Region. The Australian species C.cervus is described as new, based on the pupa alone. Comments are made on the ecology and distribution. A previously little‐recognized ‘tropical’ Gondwanan biogeographic explanation for Conochironomus distribution is postulated.