- 45 species in North America
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Dixidae |
Identification Tips:
• Distinct head capsule
• Head is usually held tilted up
• 2 flattened lobes near end of abdomen with fringe of long hairs
• 3-25 mm
Life History:
• Found in quiet water with abundant vegetation
• Swim and climb in vegetation
• Larvae breathe air from openings at tip of abdomen
• Collect or filter feed on organic debris, algae and periphyton
• Pupate just above waterline in vertical case attached to vegetation or other object
• Adults do not bite humans
| POLLUTION TOLERANCE | ||||
| Very Sensitive | Somewhat Sensitive | Facultative | Somewhat Tolerant | Very Tolerant |
| Most | ||||
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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.
