Pinnularia polyonca has longer striae and is more expanded at the central valve.Pinnularia formica has a much more exaggerated triundulate outline, with a more prominently expanded central margin.

LM scalebar = 10 µm
Length Range
68-80 µm
Width Range
8.9-10.3 µm
Striae in 10 µm
10-12
Pinnularia polyonca LM5
Pinnularia polyonca LM4
Pinnularia polyonca LM3
Pinnularia polyonca LM2
Pinnularia polyonca LM1
Pinnularia polyonca LM5 Pinnularia polyonca LM4 Pinnularia polyonca LM3 Pinnularia polyonca LM2 Pinnularia polyonca LM1

Also compare to

Pinnularia polyonca

(Bréb.) W.Smith 1856

Pinnularia formica

(Ehrenb.) R.M.Patrick 1966