Family Chironomidae
midges

The Chironomidae is a large and diverse family of flies. They are commonly known as "non-biting midges." There are over 20,000 species known world-wide, including 2,000 in the Nearctic. Adult midges are relatively small (1-20 mm long), with narrow bodies and long legs. They are often confused with mosquitos, but no members of this family are blood-feeders (hence the "non-biting" part of the common name). Adults, if they feed at all, feed on nectar or similar substances. Midge larvae are nearly all aquatic or sub-aquatic, and are a very important part of many freshwater ecosystems. Both in numbers and in diversity, they are often the largest group of primary consumers in these systems. Species of Chironomidae can be found in an enormous variety of aquatic habitats, from brackish estuaries to pools in tree-holes, and from low-oxygen lake sediments to fast-flowing mountain streams. (Coffman and Ferrington Jr., 1996; Foote, 1987; McCafferty, 1983)

Species of chironomid midges are found in moist or wet habitats in all major landmasses of the world, including Antarctica, and most islands. (Foote, 1987)

Midge larvae occur in all kinds of benthic freshwater habitats, including the bottoms of streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and temporary pools, also wetlands such as marshes and swamps. Some breed in isolated damp habitats such as tree-holes, pitcher plants, patches of moist soil, even dung pats. The "blood midges" or "bloodworms" are species of midges with hemoglobin in their hemolymph, which allows them to survive in low-oxygen (and often heavily-polluted) habitats. Adults rarely disperse far from the larval habitat. (Coffman and Ferrington Jr., 1996; Foote, 1987)

Adults are small (1-20 mm long, most less than 10 mm), slim, long-legged flies. They resemble, and are often confused with, mosquitoes (Culicidae), but unlike mosquitoes, they do not bite, and have no scales on their wings. Many species rest on their hind two pairs of legs, and hold their forelegs out in front of them. In most species, adult males have plumose antennae that are much larger than the females (these are probably used to locate females). Most species are dark-colored, usually brown or black.

Larvae are elongate and cylindrical, with distinct segmentation and a hard sclerotized head capsule that cannot be retracted into the body. They have no true legs, but do have a pair of unjointed "prolegs" on the first segment of the thorax. The presences of this pair of prolegs, the absence of true legs, and the structure of the head are good distinguishing marks for identifying larvae in the Chironomidae. Color varies widely among larvae, most are tan or brown, but some are whitish, some are green. Larvae of a number of species in the subfamily Chironominae have the hemoglobin in their circulatory fluid, which helps them survive in low-oxygen habitats. These larvae are pinkish or red when alive, and are often called "blood midges." (Coffman and Ferrington Jr., 1996; Foote, 1987)

Like all flies, the Chironomidae are holometabolous, and undergo metamorphosis in their life cycle. Adult females lay eggs in aquatic habitats. The larvae that hatch from these are often planktonic in their first instar, floating in the water column and feeding on microscopic particles in the water. After their first molt, larvae of most species descend to the bottom and remain benthic through the rest of the larval stage (usually four instars). The larvae transforms into a pupa, which often stays within a shelter or cocoon while it transforms into an adult. When it's time to emerge, the pupa swims to the surface, and the adult pulls itself out of its old skin. (Coffman and Ferrington Jr., 1996; Foote, 1987; McCafferty, 1983)

Lifespan varies greatly between and within species in the Chironomidae. Individual growth and development rates are strongly influenced by temperature and other environmental factors. Many temperate species live for a year, surviving the winter as larvae. Some species are known to complete entire life-cycles in a few weeks, if temperatures are warm and food is abundant. (Coffman and Ferrington Jr., 1996; Foote, 1987)

Larvae of non-biting midges are often found in enormous numbers, but this may reflect individuals choosing the same microhabitat rather than social interactions. Most species that live in mud or silt or other soft sediments build tubes or tunnels as refuges.

Some larvae are planktonic when in the first instar, then become benthic after they molt. In cold climates, larvae over-winter in cocoons in the sediment where they live. Pupae also generally stay in place, hidden in sediment. They only emerge to swim to the surface. Adult males gather in swarms, in daylight or twilight, sometimes in many thousands. They often gather over a local prominence -- a tall tree or a rock outcrop or a hill top.

Larvae are most active in the dark. (Coffman and Ferrington Jr., 1996; Foote, 1987; McCafferty, 1983)

The many thousands of chironomid species have many different feeding habits. Most species feed on small particles of organic debris, but the size of particles varies, some shred bits of dead wood and leaves, some gather smaller particles, some even filter tiny particles suspended in the water. Some of these detritivores also collect algae cells, and some species are herbivores, specialize in feeding on algae. Other herbivores are "miners" tunneling in larger vascular plants. There are some fungivore chironomids as well, eating spores and grazing on hyphae. A few species are simple predators, often attacking other chironomid species. (Coffman and Ferrington Jr., 1996)

Non-biting midges are so abundant in so many freshwater habitats that practically every kind of predator in these habitats feeds on them at some stage of their life cycle. Midges try to avoid predation by limiting their activity during daylight, and larvae and pupae take refuge in tunnels that they build in sediment. Many species are cryptically colored. (Coffman and Ferrington Jr., 1996; McCafferty, 1983)

Chironomids are the most diverse and abundant macroinvertebrates in most of the aquatic ecosystems they inhabit (and they inhabit most aquatic ecosystems). Most natural ponds, lakes and streams are home to 50-100 different species of non-biting midges. Collectively, they play a vital role in freshwater ecosystems as primary consumers. They harvest an enormous amount of energy from detritus and are one of the major supports for animal communities in these systems. (Coffman and Ferrington Jr., 1996)