''Cricotopus sylvestris'' formerly ''Cricotopus silvestris'', is a species of midge in the family

Chironomidae Chironomidae , commonly known as non-biting midges or chironomids , are a family of Nematoceran flies with a global distribution. They are closely related to the families Ceratopogonidae, Simuliidae, and Thaumaleidae. Although many chironomid ...

. It is found in Asia, Europe, The United Kingdom, and North America.

Ecology

It is believed that the complete development of this species from larvae to adult is temperature dependent. In laboratory conditions, larvae completed development in 10 days at 22° and 29 °C. When temperatures were at 15°, it took 28 days. The production to biomass (P/B) ratio for this species has one of the highest values reported for

chironomids Chironomidae , commonly known as non-biting midges or chironomids , are a family of Nematoceran flies with a global distribution. They are closely related to the families Ceratopogonidae, Simuliidae, and Thaumaleidae. Although many chironomid s ...

. Midge larvae are often eaten by other invertebrates, such as damselfly

naiads In Greek mythology, the naiads (; ), sometimes also hydriads, are a type of female spirit, or nymph, presiding over fountains, wells, springs, streams, brooks and other bodies of fresh water. They are distinct from river gods, who embodied ...

Nymph (biology) In biology, a nymph (from Ancient Greek wikt:νύμφα, νύμφα ''nūmphē'' meaning "bride") is the juvenile (organism), juvenile form of some invertebrates, particularly insects, which undergoes gradual metamorphosis (biology), metamorphosis ...

, and fish. In North America, it is noted that this species is a natural enemy of ''Berosus ingeminatus'' and ''Ischnura verticalis''

In the United Kingdom

In the U.K, this species is considered to be native but with a sporadic range.

Ecology

In the United Kingdom

References

Further reading