• 579 species known in North America
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Ceratopogonidae |
Identification Tips:
Larvae
• 2 - 15 mm length
• Variable body structure
• Most common type is long, thin with distinct head capsule
• Skin smooth, cream coloured, and shiny
• No prolegs or other features
• Sometimes tuft of hairs on tip of abdomen
Life History:
Larvae
• Found burrowing in or on the surface of soft sediments of ponds, lakes, wetlands and slow moving streams
• Some are common in thick algae mats
• Predatory on larvae or eggs of other insects
Adults
• Females of most species feed on blood of mammals, birds, other vertebrates,or even other insects
• Many generations per year
| POLLUTION TOLERANCE | ||||
| Very Sensitive | Somewhat Sensitive | Facultative | Somewhat Tolerant | Very Tolerant |
| Most | Some | |||
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Primary Information Source:
Voshell, J. Reese. 2002. A Guide to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of North America. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Company. Blacksburg, Virginia.
