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Project Noah Nature School
Chironomidae
Size: mostly 1-10 mm (males of Chironomus plumosus up to 13 mm) Small, delicate flies, resemble mosquitoes but do not bite. Often "dance" in large swarms over water or lawns. Other family characters: wings long and narrow, without scales (wings of mosquitoes have scales) - males with long, feathery (plumose antennae) - front tarsi often very long - wing tip without a straight vein reaching margin between two branched veins Life Cycle: Larvae are mostly aquatic filter feeders, often living in tubes in soft mud; some are leaf-miners of aquatic plants
Usually damp areas, or near bodies of freshwater. Larvae mostly aquatic; a few occur in decaying matter, under bark or in moist ground. Range: Worldwide, including Antarctica; throughout NA, including the high Arctic islands Season: Early spring through fall in temperate areas; Diamesinae and a few members of Orthocladiinae fly in winter Food: Larvae mostly scavengers; most Tanypodinae prey on small invertebrates, including other Chironomidae. Adults do not need to feed; many will take sugar given the opportunity.
Red larvae of genus Chironomus are called "bloodworms". Their blood contains hemoglobin, unusual for insects. Larvae are often very abundant and are an important food item for many fresh water fish and other aquatic animals. *** Porch light visitor. 1/16 of an inch. ***
Thanks Francis.... I didn't do a very good job finding the exact species. I'm hoping someone can point into a direction at some point.
Spotted on Nov 15, 2012
Submitted on Nov 17, 2012
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