The Tipula (Acutipula) maxima group (Insecta, Diptera, Tipulidae). I. Taxonomy and distribution

A systematic account is presented of the species of the Tipula (Acutipula) maxima group. To the eleven species and subspecies already known, six are added as new: maxima balcanica, transcaucasica latifurca, libanica, cretensis, isparta, and cypriensis. Of all taxa the genital structures of the males and females are described and figured. These structures allow a grouping of the species into five subgroups. The distribution of the species and subspecies is mapped; they are all limited to smaller areas in the Mediterranean region, but for maxima itself which occupies almost entire Europe.