The purpose of this application, under Article 75.6 of the Code, is to conserve the universal usage of Tipula contaminata Linnaeus, 1758 by setting aside all previous type fixations and designating a neotype. Tipula contaminata is the type species of the genus Ptychoptera Meigen, 1803, itself the type genus of the family ptychopteridae Osten Sacken, 1862. This species is found over much of Europe, and all authors subsequent to Meigen (1803) have utilized his concept of the species. However, the holotype of Tipula contaminata Linnaeus, 1758 represents a species of tipulidae. It is proposed that a neotype be designated for Tipula contaminata to preserve two hundred years of common usage and ensure nomenclatural stability at the genus and family rank.