Invertebrate Photographs - Chironomidae (midge flies)

Chironomidae (Midgeflies)

The photos below are for illustration and familiarity only. To make accurate identifications, taxonomic keys should be used and experts consulted as needed. For those unfamiliar with Chironomidae, the head capsules provide a primary (but not sole) means of identification, especially the mentum and ventromental plates. These photos show the diversity of the midges. Photos are shown for 4 subfamilies: Chironominae, Tanypodinae, Diamesinae, and Orthocladiinae. Photos were not available for Podonominae and Prodiamesinae. For more information, please see our indicator page on midge flies.

Diamesinae - one characterization is a prominent, black postoccipital margin (see below)

Chironomidae - Diamesinae Potthastia sp. - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA

Potthastia sp.
Note pronounced dark post-occipital margin

Chironomidae - Diamesinae Diamesa sp. - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Diamesa sp.

Diamesa sp.

Chironominae - usually well developed and striated ventromental plates, with plates at a right angle to body axis

Dicrotendipes sp. Note: ventromental plates	Cryptochironomus sp. Note: Mentum with pale median tooth.	*Microspectra sp.* Note: Median teeth of mentum partially fused.
*Polypedilum sp.*	*Chironomus sp.*	Paratendipes sp.

Orthocladiinae - one characterization usually is undeveloped ventromental plates.

Chironomidae - Orthocladiinae Cricotopus sp. - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Cricotopus sp.

Chironomidae - Orthocladiinae Hydrobaenus sp. - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Hydrobaenus sp.

Chironomidae - Orthocladiinae Eukiefferiella sp. - photo by Wayne Davis USEPA
Eukiefferiella sp.

Tanypodinae - one characterization is a head capsule with 4-8 teeth on the ligula.

Labrundinia sp.

Trissopelopia sp.

Zavrelimyia sp.

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