SPECIES ID / Invertebrates

True Flies

Non-Biting Midges

Pepexwí:qsel

  • More than 1000 species in North America
Phylum:Athropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Diptera
Family:Chironomidae

Identification Tips:

• Elongated, narrow body with hardened head capsule
• Pairs of prolegs behind head and at and of abdomen
• Elaborate structure on head and thorax of pupae

Life History:

• Occur in all aquatic habitats
• Many are burrowers, others cling to vegetation or build cases to attach to objects
• Forage or filter feed for fine organic detritus,

POLLUTION TOLERANCE
Very SensitiveSomewhat SensitiveFacultativeSomewhat TolerantVery Tolerant
SomeSomeMostSomeSome
Pollution Indicator• High numbers of bright red type(contain hemoglobin) indicate low dissolved oxygen levels  due to organic or nutrient pollution

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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.