Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Chironomus tentans Fabricius 1805 was formerly applied to this species. It is now considered exclusively palearctic. Chironomus (Camptochironomus) dilutus Shobanov 1999 is the name for the nearctic form. They are nearly indistinguishable morphologically.
Identification
Male genitalia of the subgenus Chironomus (Camptochironomus) are distinctive. Dark abdomen, strongly contrastly dark stripes on light brown or greenish thorax.
"Usually the coloration and rather strongly produced middle portion of the pronotum enable one to determine female specimens." (Townes 1945)
Habitat
"The species breeds in shallow water with much decaying organic matter: dead leaves, dead algae, or a moderate amount of organic pollution." (Townes 1945)
See Also
Chironomus pallidivittatus Malloch is paler and has a thinner gonostylus and shorter lobes around anal point.
Print References
The Nearctic Species of Tendipedini [Diptera, Tendipedidae (= Chironomidae)], Henry K. Townes, American Midland Naturalist, Vol. 34, No. 1 (Jul., 1945).
Shobanov et al., "Palearctic and Nearctic Chironomus (Camptochironomus) tentans (Fabricius) are different species"
