(1) Tipula maxima maxima Poda, 1761
(2) Tipula maxima pseudogigantea Strobl, 1900

The taxon balcanica from southeastern Europe has previously been considered as a subspecies, but is currently regarded as a separate species, Tipula balcanica, that does not occur in Germany. The subspecies pseudogigantea is restricted to northern Spain. Its status as a valid subspecies has been supported by Vermoolen (1983), but denied by De Jong (1993). De Jong (1993) rejects subspecies status with a single statement: "it is impossible to definitely separate both taxa". However, this is the very nature of subspecies: they are not yet fully separated, but already show some signs of genetic separation. Thus the notion by De Jong (1993) is not supported by data, whereas the notion by Vermoolen (1983) rests on quantitative differences in wing coloration and male genitalia morphology. I therefore follow Vermoolen (1983) and regard the taxon pseudogigantea as a valid subspecies. Only the nominate subspecies occurs in Germany.