Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: aquatic

Feeding Habits
Adults: nectar and pollen feeding
Immatures: saprophagous

North American
Species: 760

Diptera Chironomidae
Midges

Special Characteristics: Chironomids are small and slender flies that resemble mosquitoes, but they do not have scales on the wings and do not have a long proboscis, and the wings are hold rooflike when at rest. Chironomids do not bite. The males have plumose antennae.

Comments: The larvae of most species are aquatic or live in wet soil. They are either scavengers or predators. The larvae of some species are red due to the hemoglobin present in the blood; they are called bloodworms. The larvae are often very abundant and are a major source of food for many aquatic animals. The adults often occur in huge swarms near bodies of water.

Species:
Glyptotendipes sp.

Common Name:

Distribution:

Comments:
Chironomids, like this specimen of the genus Glyptotendipes, are very diverse in aquatic habitats. Unfortunately, they are very difficult to identify.