Family Chironomidae - Midges
Classification Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Diptera (Flies)
No Taxon ("Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera))
Infraorder Culicomorpha
Family Chironomidae (Midges)
Other Common Names Non-biting Midges, Blind Mosquitoes, Common Midges Explanation of Names From genus Chironomus, that name from Greek cheironomos (χειρονομος),"one who moves the hands", referring to the front legs, which, at rest, are 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 Arnett (1) lists 817 North American species in 139 genera, and mentions that there are many undescribed species. Size Generally 1-10 mm. The largest males of Chironomus plumosus can reach 13 mm body length. Identification Small, delicate flies, resemble mosquitoes but do not bite. Often "dance" in large swarms over water or lawns. Other family characters (1) (2):
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
For identification of some groups, see article: Identifying easily-identified midges (Chironomidae)--A quick guide.Range Worldwide, including Antarctica. Throughout North America including the high Arctic islands. Habitat Usually damp areas, or near bodies of freshwater.
Larvae of most midges are aquatic; a few occur in decaying matter, under bark or in moist ground. Most of them are scavengers. Many of the aquatic forms live in tubes or cases. Season Early spring through fall in temperate areas. Subfamily Diamesinae and a few members of Orthocladiinae fly in winter. Food Adults do not need to feed. Many will take sugar given the opportunity.
Most Tanypodinae larvae are predators of small invertebrates including other Chironomidae. Life Cycle Larvae are mostly aquatic, many living in tubes in soft mud; they are filter feeders. Others are leaf-miners of aquatic plants. 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. See Also
Phantom Midges-- Chaoboridae Print References
Swan and Papp, p. 596 (3)
Borror and White, p. 268 (4)
Milne, pp. 645-646, fig. 379--Green Midges, Tanytarsus (6)
Internet References [http://www.cedarcreek.umn.edu/insects/album/029024000ap.html]Insects of Cedar Creek[/url]
Works Cited | 3. | The Common Insects of North America
By Lester A. Swan, Charles S. Papp | |
| 4. | A Field Guide to Insects
By Richard E. White, Donald J. Borror, Roger Tory Peterson |  |
| 5. | Florida's Fabulous Insects
By Mark Deyrup, Brian Kenney, Thomas C. Emmel |  |
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