''Chironomus'' is a genus of nonbiting
midge
A midge is any small fly, including species in several families of non-mosquito Nematoceran Diptera. Midges are found (seasonally or otherwise) on practically every land area outside permanently arid deserts and the frigid zones. Some mid ...
s in the
subfamily
In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...
Chironominae of the bloodworm family,
Chironomidae, containing several
cryptic species that can only be distinguished by experts based on the characteristics of their
giant chromosomes.
Description
Adult ''Chironomus'' are midges with the
pronotum widest in the middle and bearing a notch, the head usually bearing a pair of small tubercles above the
antennal
Antennae ( antenna), sometimes referred to as "feelers", are paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods.
Antennae are connected to the first one or two segments of the arthropod head. They vary widely in form but are always made of one o ...
bases, the antennal flagellum of males having 11 segments, and the male genitalia has inferior volsella large and larger than superior volsella. They range from 5 to 13 mm in length.
Larvae
A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle.
The ...
are red and usually have tubes on the side or bottom of the eighth abdominal segment. These features are not unique to ''Chironomus'', also being found in some related genera.
Adult males can be distinguished from females by their feather-like antennae.
Behaviour
When at rest, adults often raise their front legs and vibrate them. This is the source of the genus name, which is derived from "cheironomos" (Greek for "one who moves the hands").
Habitat
Larvae of ''Chironomus'' usually live in aquatic
sediment. Those of the ''C. decorus'' group, ''C. riparius'' group and ''C. stigmaterus'' generally live in conditions of high nutrients and low oxygen. There are also ''Chironomus'' that live in relatively clean water.
The larvae of several species inhabit the
profundal zone where they can reach relatively high densities. They use a combination of
hemoglobin-like proteins and undulatory movements in their burrows to obtain
oxygen in poorly oxygenated habitats.
See also
*
List of Chironomus species
Gallery
File:Chironomus anthracinus,Trawscoed, North Wales, April 2015 2 - Flickr - janetgraham84.jpg, ''Chironomus anthracinus
''Chironomus anthracinus'' is a species of fly in the family Chironomidae
The Chironomidae (informally known as chironomids, nonbiting midges, or lake flies) comprise a family of nematoceran flies with a global distribution. They are closel ...
''
File:Chironomus crassicaudatus P1570795a.jpg, ''Chironomus crassicaudatus
''Chironomus crassicaudatus'' is a species of midge in the family Chironomidae
The Chironomidae (informally known as chironomids, nonbiting midges, or lake flies) comprise a family of nematoceran flies with a global distribution. They are cl ...
''
File:Chironomus yoshimatsui.jpg, ''Chironomus yoshimatsui
''Chironomus'' is a genus of nonbiting midges in the subfamily Chironominae of the bloodworm family, Chironomidae, containing several cryptic species that can only be distinguished by experts based on the characteristics of their giant chromoso ...
''
File:Chironomus spec. (Chironomidae) - (larva), Elst (Gld), the Netherlands.jpg, ''Chironomus'' sp. larva
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2704714
Chironomidae
Nematocera genera