Subfamily Orthocladiinae

Classification · Identification · Range · Works Cited

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon ("Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera))

Infraorder Culicomorpha

Family Chironomidae (Midges)

Subfamily Orthocladiinae

Identification

Wing vein M-Cu absent and first segment of front tarsus shorter than front tibia (1). Chironominae similar but have first segment of tarsus equal to or longer than front tibia and frequently hold legs above and in front of the head.

Wing veins are usually similar to this Chironomus:

Some very small species have reduced venation.

Genitalia are easy to distinguish from Chironominae:

Larva can be white, yellow, green, brown, blue, or rarely red. Eyespot is usually single, if double the upper spot is behind the lower. Larvae are hard to separate from Diamesinae.

Range

Worldwide (including Antarctica), more diverse in colder regions.

Works Cited

1.	The Chironomidae By P. D. Armitage, P. S. Cranston, L. C. V. Pinder

Contributed by Beatriz Moisset on 21 November, 2005 - 8:04am
Additional contributions by john and jane balaban, Vox Sciurorum
Last updated 30 April, 2009 - 8:21pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2009 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version