Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Tendipes Meigen 1800 (suppressed in favor of 1803 name)
Chironomus Meigen 1803
Explanation of Names
Author is
Meigen, 1803.
Cheironomos (Χειρονομος), is Greek for "one who moves the hands", referring to the front legs, which, at rest, are often raised and vibrated
(1).
Numbers
Four subgenera: Chironomus s.s., Chaetolabis (2 species), Camptochironomus (2 species), Lobochironomus (2? species)
25 spp north of Mexico per Arnett (1985)
(1)Size
5-13mm, the largest of midges
Identification
The genus is defined by features that are hard to see in photographs. Some of the more visible features of the genus are the shape of the pronotum, wide in the middle with a notch; a pair of small tubercles between and above the antenna bases (usually); 11-segmented male flagellum; and inferior volsella of male genitalia large and larger than superior. Each of these features is also found in some related genera.
The larva is red, and typically has tubes on the side or bottom of the eighth abdominal segment. Again, these characters are not sufficient on their own.
Range
Members of this genus are wide spread across North America
Habitat
"Larvae are usually found in sediments, and can occur in highly polluted conditions or in relatively clean water. Larvae of the
Ch. decorus group,
Ch. riparius and
Ch. stigmaterus are most often associated with high nutrient/low oxygen conditions."
(2)Internet References
Photo of
Chironomus specimen at CedarCreek.
The Chironomid Homepage . This is part of an informative web page created by Ethan Bright (U. of Mich., Ann Arbor), with links to other resources.
