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Canada's Species   Insects

Midges

Family Chironomidae

Glyptotendipes sp.. Photo:Stephanie Boucher
Glyptotendipes sp.. Photo:Stephanie Boucher

The larvae of most species are aquatic or live in wet soil. They are either scavengers or predators. The larvae of some species are red due to the hemoglobin present in the blood; they are called bloodworms. The larvae are often very abundant and are a major source of food for many aquatic animals. The adults often occur in huge swarms near bodies of water. Chironomids are small and slender flies that resemble mosquitoes, but they do not have scales on the wings and do not have a long proboscis, and the wings are hold rooflike when at rest. Chironomids do not bite. The males have plumose antennae.

   
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