Other Common Names
Non-biting Midges, Blind Mosquitoes, Common Midges
Explanation of Names
Greek
cheironomos (χειρονομος) 'one who moves the hands' (refers to the front legs, often raised and vibrated)
(1)
English
midge is from Middle English
mydge and Old English
mycg,
mycge with the same meaning--a small fly. The word extends back to
*mu-, an
Indo-European root meaning small fly. A separate linguistic branch arising from the same root led to Latin
musca and Greek myia (μυια), "fly" (Partridge,
Origins--a Short Etymological Dictionary of Modern English).
Numbers
817 described spp. in ~140 genera in our area, plus many undescribed
(1) (current data, >1050 species in NA
(2)); almost 7000 spp. in ~500 genera worldwide
(3)Size
mostly 1-10 mm (males of Chironomus plumosus up to 13 mm)
Identification
Small, delicate flies, resemble mosquitoes but do not bite. Often "dance" in large swarms over water or lawns. Other family characters
(1)(4):
wings long and narrow, without scales (wings of mosquitoes have scales)
males with long, feathery (
plumose antennae)
front
tarsi often very long
wing tip without a straight vein reaching margin between two branched veins
Comprehensive keys to genera (both adults & larvae) in
(5); other keys to larvae: Canada
(6), NC+SC
(7)
Quick guide to easily identifiable taxa.
For more difficult groups, see
closeup picture requests.
Range
Worldwide, including Antarctica; throughout NA, including the high Arctic islands
Habitat
Usually damp areas, or near bodies of freshwater. Larvae mostly aquatic; a few occur in decaying matter, under bark or in moist ground.
Season
Early spring through fall in temperate areas; Diamesinae and a few members of Orthocladiinae fly in winter
Food
Larvae mostly scavengers; most Tanypodinae prey on small invertebrates, including other Chironomidae. Adults do not need to feed; many will take sugar given the opportunity.
Life Cycle
Larvae are mostly aquatic filter feeders, often living in tubes in soft mud; some are leaf-miners of aquatic plants
Eggs - Larva - Pupa
Remarks
Red larvae of genus Chironomus are called "bloodworms". Their blood contains hemoglobin, unusual for insects. Larvae are often very abundant and are an important food item for many fresh water fish and other aquatic animals.
