Chironomids also favour fermented products: an observation of chironomids dwelling in rotten apples

Ladislav Hamerlik,Michaela Barbierikova,Peter Bitušik

doi:10.5324/cjcr.v0i29.2036

Abstract

Here we bring evidence of larvae of three chironomid taxa dwelling in fallen apples in an urban pond. Larvae of Endochironomus tendens (also a pupa), Cricotopus cf. sylvestris and Polypedilum sp. were found mining in more than 80% of investigated rotten apples floating on a water surface. Our findings indicate that fallen fruits may play an important food source for some aquatic chironomids not only in the tropics but also in the temperate zone. Such habitat may also serve as shelter from fish predators.

Highlights

Chironomids are known to be extremely versatile in utilizing food sources and colonizing diverse habitats
In the present short communication we report chironomids dwelling in fallen rotten apples floating on the surface of an urban pond in Slovakia
During a standard limnological investigation of the pond in August 2016 we noticed the presence of chironomid larvae inside an apple floating on the surface

Summary

Introduction

Chironomids are known to be extremely versatile in utilizing food sources and colonizing diverse habitats. Such an uncommon food source for aquatic Chironomidae is fallen fruits in streams and lakes. To the best of our knowledge such feeding habits have only been reported from South America, where larvae of the genus Endotribelos are widespread and common dwellers of fruit tissues of several tree species in forested streams (Roque et al 2008).

Results

Conclusion