PICTURE-KEY
THE GENER
AQUATIC MIDGES
LABORATORY
INVESTIGATIONS
SERIES
TECHNICAL ADVISORY AND INVESTIGATIONS BRANCH
FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ADMINISTRATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
5555 Ridge Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45213
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FOREWORD
The Laboratory Investigations series was initiated by
the Technical Advisory and Investigations Branch in 1963.
The series was planned to describe laboratory methods and
techniques and to disseminate information that may be of
interest and use to other activities of FWPCA
The current addition to the series is a pictorial approach
to the identification of aquatic larval midges (bloodworms).
Some of these organisms are able to live in areas that are
defiled by pollutants; their recognition and identification
is of great importance to the water pollution investigator.
November 1967
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PICTURE-KEY TO THE GENERA
OF AQUATIC KIDGES
William L. Klein, Jr.
Biological Laboratory Aide
LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS NUMBER 5
Technical Advisory and Investigations Branch
Federal Water Pollution Control Administration
United States Department of the Interior
5555 Ridge Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio
1+5213
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INTRODUCTION
The classification of aquatic midge larvae is a difficult
and time-consuming procedure for the ecologist who may not be fa-
miliar with the language of the taxonomist. A picture can save many-
words and prevent much confusion.
The procedure presented herein for the identification of
larvae of the family Chironomidae to genus is based solely on draw-
ings of the labial plates. These should be an aid to the beginning
taxonomist until he develops the expertise to utilize the formal
literature for more definitive identification.
Much of the material and information in this article has been
obtained and composited from the definitive works by Johannsen,
Roback, Curry, and Wirth and ftone. Wirth and Stone have contrib-
uted a chapter in the "Aquatic Insects of California," edited by
Usinger; for convenience, their work is cited as "Usinger." The
works of various other authors were referred to in the preparation
of this procedure and these are included in the bibliography.
For many years controversy existed over the use of the names
Chironomus versus Tendipes, and Chironomidae versus Tendipedidae for
genus and family names, respectively. In accordance with a 1963
opinion of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature,
this article uses Chironomus and Chironomidae as the preferred names.
1
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PROCEDURE
The determinative factor used in the procedure presented herein
is the number of teeth on the labial plate. The larva's head is
mounted ventral side up on a microscope slide and the number of teeth
counted. (Clearing of the head, or slight pressure to crush the head,
thus effecting exposure of the labial plate may be necessary for clear
viewing). After determining the number of teeth the identifier refers
to the tooth-number grouped illustrations and completes identification
by matching the viewed labial plate with the illustrations.
Errors or confusion in tooth counts of the examined larval
head may occur because the median tooth may be divided by one or two
shallow notches, and the first pairs of teeth lateral to the median
tooth may also contain notches. Usually this confusion can be elim-
inated by checking the group of illustrations for the alternative
number of teeth.
Hie number given after the first generic name is the reference
for the source of the illustration, where: 1 = Usinger, 2 = Roback,
and 3 ¦ Curry. The letters J (Johannsen), U (Usinger), C (Curry)
and R (Roback) denote the name used by the various authors when
synonymous nomenclature exists.
2
-------
7 TEETH
/At
Corynoneura (2)
(ap.2)
3
-------
8 TEETH
No Known Genera
U
-------
9 TEETH
A
Dianeaa (2)
(bathyphila)
Spanlotona (1)-I,U,C
Snittla -R
(paclflca)
Corynoneura (2)
(»p.l)
Spaniotoma (15VJ,U,C
Dactylocladiua -R
(aanivirana) ¦
Paaudochironomua (1) Paeudochlronomua (1)
(richardaonl) variant (richardaoni)
Cricotopua (2)
(ap.l)
Spaniotoma (1) -J,U,C
Smittia -R
(atercorarii
Chironomua (3) -J
Glyptotandopea -R,0,C
5
-------
10 TEETH
Brillia (1)
(par)
I
rs
Spaniotoma (1)
(furcata)
Spaniotoma (2) -J,U,C
Eukiefferiella -R
(sordans)
Chironomus (1) -J
Cryptochironomus -R,U,C
(sens. lat.)
6
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II TEETH
A
Corynoneura (2)
(taris)
M
X
.\W
Spanlotoma (l) - J,U,C
Smlttla -R
(nudipennis)
Spanlotoma (2) -J,U,C
Psectrocladlus -R
(pilosus)
S\
Spanlotoma (2) -J,U,C
Psectrocladlus -R
(sp. 2)
Spanlotoma (2) -J,U,C
Buklefferlella -R
(sp.2)
jA,
Crlcotopus (2)
(trlfasclatus sp. l)
Spanlotoma (l) -J,U,C
Smittia -R
(aterrlma)
Spanlotoma (2) -J,U,C
Psectrocladlus -R
(elatus)
Cricotopus (2)
(trlfasclatus sp. 2)
0*%
Hydrobaenlnae sp. (2)
Spanlotoma (2) -J,U,C
Psectrocladlus -R
(slmulans)
Spanlotoma (2) -J,U,C
Psectrocladlus -R
(stratlotus)
Spanlotoma (2) -J,U,C
Euklefferlella -R
(sp.l)
Tanytarsus (2) -J
Calopsectra -R,U,C
(guerla)
CONTINUED
Tanytarsus (3) -J
Calopsectra -R,U,C
(dives)
-------
II TEETH CONTINUED
Tanytarsus (2) -J
Calopsectra -R,U,C
(sp.3)
Tanytarsus (2) -J
Calopsectra -R,U,C
(sp.5)
Tanytarsus (2) -J
Calopsectra -R,U,C
(glabrescens)
Tanytarsus (2) -J
Calopsectra -R,U,C
(sp.2)
Tanytarsus (2) -J
Calopsectra -R,U,C
(polita)
Tanytarsus (1) -J
Calopsectra -R,U,C
(dives)
Tanytarsus (2) -J
Calopsectra -R,U,C
(varela)
Chlronomus (3) -J
Mlcrotendlpes -R,U,C
(pedellus)
Tanytarsus (2) -J
Calopsectra -R,U,C
(sp.7)
Tanytarsus (l)
(exiguus)
Chironomuo sp. -J
Tendlpes sp. -R,U,C
Chlronomus (2) -J Chlronomus (2) -J
Cryptochlronomus -R,U,C Cryptochlronomus -R,U
(fulTus) (sp.3)
Chlronomus (2) -J
Tendlpes -R,U,C
(neonodestus)
uxiJ.ruiiuiuuo (2) -J
Harnlscla -R,U,C
(sp.2)
-------
12 TEETH
Brillia (1)
(par)
3paniotoma (2) -J,U,C
Trichocladius -R
(sp.l)
'/ \ '
Metriocnemus sp. (2) Metrlocnemus (1)
(fuscipas)
Spaniotoma (2) -J,U,C Spaniotoma (2)
Trichocladius -R Trichocladius -R
(exatus) (sp.2)
Spaniotoma (1) -J,U,C
PsAcbroladlus -R
(sp.A)
9
-------
13 TEETH
Tanypus (3)
(stellata)
Syndiamesa (1) -J,R,0
(pertlnax)
Procladius (3)
(adumbratus)
A
Corynoneura (2)
(xena)
/r\
Diamesa (1)
(mendotao)
BriIlia (2)
(sera)
Cricotopus (2)
(bicinctus)
fS
Cricotopus (2)
(sp.2)
r*%
Cricotopus (2)
(ceris)
A
Spaniotoma sp.
Cricotopus (2)
(alossonae)
A
Spaniotoma (2)
(sp.3)
Spaniotoma (2)
(paradorenus)
A
Spaniotoma (2)
(sp.2)
CONTINUED
Spaniotoma (2)
(sp.l)
10
-------
13 TEETH CONTINUED
0^S
Spaniotoma (2)
(carlatus)
f \
Spaniotoma (2) -J,U,C
Psectrocladius -R
(nigrus)
Chiromomini (2)
(sp.A)
Spaniotoma (1)- J,U,C
Trichocladius- R
(senex)
Htll,
Spaniotoma (2) -J,U,C
Psectrocladius -R
(ap.l)
Tanytarsus (1)
(sp.J)
/S
Spaniotoma (2)- J,U,C
Psectrocladius- R
(sp. ^ )
n
Spaniotoma (2)
Trichocladius -R .
(senex)
Chironomus (1)
(decorua)
Chironomus (1)
(decorus) variant
Lronomua (2) -J
Tendipes - R,U,C
(limnochironomus sp.)
Chironomus (1) -J
Harnischia -R,U,C
(tenuicaudata)
Chironomus (1)
Qlystotendlpes -R,U,C
w
ronomus (2) -J
endipes
(modestus)
CONTINUED
Chironomus (2) -J
Glyptotendip«s-R,U,C
(polytomus)
11
-------
13 TEETH CONTINUED
Chlronomus (2) -J
Glyptotendipes -R,U,C
(senelis)
Chlronomus (2) -J
Harnischia -R,U,C
(tenuicaudata)
Chlronomus (2) -J
Harnischia -R,U,C
{amachaerus)
Chlronomus (2) -J
Harnischia ~R,U,C
(sp.1)
12
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14 TEETH
Prodiamesa (3)
(olivacea)
A
Spaniotoma (2) -J,U,C
Eukiefferlella -R
(brevinervls)
Spaniotoma (1)
(nivoriunda)
Chlronomua (2) -J
Polypedilum -R,U,C
(fallax group)
Prodiameaa (1)
(bathyphila)
Spaniotoma (2) -J,U,C
Trichocladius -R
(sp.3)
Chircnomus (2) -J
Lauterborniella -R,U,C
(variDennis)
Chlronomua (1) -J
Polypedilum -R,U,C
(flavua)
Metriocnemus (3)
(knabi)
,/VyvvVv
Spaniotoma (l)- J>,U,C
Diplocladius -R
(cultriger)
4Mk
Chlronomua (2) -J
Polypedilum -R,U,C
(ophioidea)
Tanytarsus (2)
(flavioes)
Tanytarsus (2)
(sp.2)
Chlronomua (2) -J
Harniachia -R,U,C
(nais)
CONTINUED
13
-------
14 TEETH CONTINUED
£1
rf
Anatopynia (3)
(dyari)
lU
-------
15 TEETH
Tanypus (1)
(stellatus)
Chironomus (1) -J
Cryptochironomus -R,U,C
(parills)
Chironomus (2) -J
Terdipes -R,U,C
(rlparius & militaria)
m
Chironomus (2) -J
Harnischia -R,TJ,C
(pseudotener)
Chironomus (3) -J
Harnischia -R,U,C
(abortiva)
15
-------
16 TEETH
y
(
Heptagyia (1)
(lurida)
Chirynomus (2) -J
Pol^pedilum -R,U,C
(sclaenum)
Chironomus (3) -J
Tanytarsus -R,U,C
(Jucundus dimorphus)
Chirconomua (2) -J
Tanytarsus -R,U,C
(ap.2)
Chironomus (1) -J
Tanytarsus -R,U,C
(flavicingula)
"A
Diamesa (2)
(fulva)
Tanytarsus (2)
(obedlens)
/ V
Chironomus (2) -J
Paratendlpes -R,U,C
(alblmanus)
iitifk
Chironomus (2) -J
Polypedilum -R,U,C
(tritum)
Chironomus (2) -J
Polypedilum -R,D,C
(ap. ?)
Chironomus (3) -J
Tanytarsus -R,U,C
(nigricans)
Chironomus (1) -J
Tanytarsus -R,U,C
(flavicingula) worn down
CONTINUED
Chironomus (2) -J
Tanytarsus -R,U,C
(sp.l)
Chironomus (1) -J
Stenochironomus -R,U,C
Chironomus (1) -J
Paratendlpes -R,U,C
(alblmanus)
16
-------
16 TEETH CONTINUED
Chlronoraus (1) Chirononus (1) -J Chironomus (1) -J
(quadripuctatua) Polypedilum -R,U,C Cryptochironomus -R,D
(fallax) (sp. d)
Chironomus (2)- J
Harnlschia -R,U,C
(sp. 3)
17
-------
17 TEETH
/\
Diamesa (1) Spaniotoma (1) -J,U,C
(fulva) Smittla -R
(sp.E)
18
-------
18 TEETH
No Known Genera
19
-------
19 TEETH
Diamesa (3)
(nivoriunda)
Spanlotoma (1) -J
Hydrobaenus -R,U,C
(rivulorum)
20
-------
20 TEETH
A
Podonomus (3)
21
-------
21 THRU 24 TEETH
No Known Genera
22
-------
25 TEETH
A A
Podonomus (2) -J Trichotanypua (
Laslodlamesa -R,U,C (postlcalls)
(aphagnicola)
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Transactions of the Society for British Entomology, Vol. lU, Part 2.
Published for the Society by the British Trust for Entomology Ltd.,
May 27th, i960.
2. Buckley, B. R. and Sublette, J. E., Chironomidae (Diptera) of
Louisiana II. The Limnology of the Upper Part of Cane River Lake,
Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, with Particular Reference to the
Emergence of Chironomidae-*-, Reprinted from Tulane Studies in
Zoology, Vol. 11, No. k, pp. 151-166, March 2k, I96U.
3. Curry, L. L., Notes on the Ecology and Taxonomy of the Midge Tendipes
(Tendipes) staegeri (Lundbeck)--Chironomus staegeri Lundbeck
(.Diptera), Reprinted from Entomological News, Vol. LXVII, No. 9>
Nov., 1956.
U. Curry, L. L., Larvae and Pupae of the Species of Cryptochironomus
(Diptera) in Michigan. Reprinted from Limnology and Oceanography,
Vol. 3, No. 4, October, 1958.
5. Curry, L. L., 1961. A Key for the Larval Forms of Aquatic Midges
(Tendipedidae: Diptera) Found in Michigan. A 162 page mimeographed
report presented at the Midwest Benthological Society, Wisconsin
State College.
C. Curry, L. L., 1962. A Study of the Ecology and Taxonomy of Fresh-
water Midges (Diptera: Tendipedidae) of Michigan "ith Special
Reference to Their Role in the "Turnover" of Radioactive Substances
in the Hydroso~ A 162 page mimeographed report.
7. Dendy, J. S. and Sublette, J. E., The Chironomidae (=Tendipedidae:
Diptera) of Alabama with Descriptions of Six New Species. Reprinted
from Annals Entomological Society of America, Vol. 52, No. 5,
September, 1959*
8. Hauber, U. A., The Tendipedinae of Iowa (Diptera). Reprinted from
"The American Midland Naturalist," Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. k56-k65,
September, 19^7.
9. Johannsen, 0. A., 1937. Aquatic Diptera III. Chironomidae:
Subfamilies Tanypodinae, Diamaslnae, and Orthocladinae. Cornell
U. Agric. Exp. Stat. 210.
2k
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10. Johannsen, 0. A., 1937. Aquatic Diptera IV. Chironomidae:
Subfamily Chironominae. Cornell U. \gric. Exp. Stat. 210.
11. Sublette, J. E., Chironomidae (Diptera) of Louisiana, I.
Systematics and immature Stages of Some Lentic Chironomids of
!Jest-Central Louisiana^ Reprinted from Tulane Studies in
Zoology, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 109-150, March 2h, 196U.
12. Sublette, J. E. and M. S. Sublette, 1965- Family Chironomidae
pp. l42-l8l, in Stone, et al. A Catalog of the Diptera of
America North of Mexico. 'gric. Handbook No. 276. Govt.
Printing Office, Washington, D. C.
13. Usinger, R. L., 1956. Aquatic Insects of California with Key to
North American Genera and California Species. Chapter 14, Aquatic
Diptera, tfirth, Willis W., Stone, Alan. pp. 1+06-1+2^, University
of California.
lU. Roback, S. S., 1957. The Immature Tendipedids of the Philadelphia
Area. Monographs of Acad. Natl, fci. of Philadelphia.
15. Pennak, R. v., 1953. Freshwater Invertebrates of the U. S.,
pp. 6U9-655.
16. Malloch, J. R., 1915. The Chironomidae, or Midges, of Illinois,
with Particular Reference to the Species Occurring in the
Illinois River. Bulletin HI. State Lab. Nat. Hist., 10:273-5^3«
25
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LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS SERIES
1. Sargent Polarographic Oxygen Analyzer; Thermo-Fishometer
Water Thermometer; Modified Methods for Turbidity; Modified
Methods for Color; Suspended Solids Determination (June 2U,
1963).*
2. Recovery of Simple Cyanides by the Serfass Distillation
Procedure as Compared with the Williams Cuprous Chloride
Method (April 7, 196U).
3. Nitrate Determine"
(October 13, 196^
Dissolved Oxygen ry
31, 1966).
5. Picture-Key to th 1967).
* Out of Print
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LABORATORATORY INVESTIGATIONS
SERIES " NUMBER FIVE
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