Genus Tanytarsus - Green Midges

Classification · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Size · Identification · Habitat · See Also · Print References · Works Cited

Green Midge at Lights, Early April Visitor - Tanytarsus

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

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

Infraorder Culicomorpha (Mosquitoes and Midges)

Family Chironomidae (Non-biting Midges)

Subfamily Chironominae

Tribe Tanytarsini

Genus Tanytarsus (Green Midges)

Explanation of Names

From the Greek for "stretched ankle" ("stretched tarsus").

Numbers

34 Nearctic species.

Size

5-10 mm.

Identification

Cylindrical; abdomen that tapers to a point. Small head; prothorax typically has some brown markings above. Long, pale brown legs. Also long are the front tarsi. Milky, transparent wings.(1)

John. F. Carr: Tribe Tanytarsini (parent taxon of Tanytarsus) is defined by the R-M crossvein being nearly parallel to M, so in effect the M vein turns a corner where it meets R. In the other two tribes of subfamily Chironominae there is a clear R-M crossvein making a sharp angle with M.

See this thread for more information.

Habitat

Woods and meadows not far from water.

"Larvae are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including brackish water."(2)

See Also

Not all green midges belong to this genus. See, for example, Polypedilum braseniae.

Print References

Milne, page 646.(1)

Works Cited

1.	National Audubon Society Field Guide to Insects and Spiders Lorus and Margery Milne. 1980. Knopf.

2.	Identification Manual for the Larval Chironomidae (Diptera) of North and South Carolina

Contributed by Stephen_WV on 8 April, 2006 - 11:53am
Additional contributions by Keith Bayless, Vox Sciurorum, ceiseman
Last updated 5 December, 2009 - 3:58pm

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