Effect of Some Environmental Factors and Agricultural practices on Distribution and Abundance of Chironominae Larvae (Chironomidae:Diptera) in Rice Fields South East AL-KUT City

Abstract

The distribution and abundance of Chironomid larvae were investigated in rice fields at the AL-SAID Shattee area South East AL-KUT City .The total number of chironomid larvae during period of the study(25 July 2010-10 November 2010) were 1056 larvae including : CLadotanytarsus v.d Wulpi group(37.7%) was the most abundance species , while the six other species Paralauterborniella sp(28.3%) Parachironomus hirtalatus (10.3%),Paratanytarsus sp(10.%),CHironomus plumosu(5.3%),Tanytarsus sp(4.3%),and Einfelidia anustini ( 3.3%) occurred less frequency. The results showed relationships among three species: Paralauterborniella, CLadotanytarsus, Parachironomus hirtalatus Where have positive significant relationship with (PH, watre depth, and water temperature) also the results showed relationship between(Tanytarsus, Paratanytarsus) where have positive significant relationship with (turbidity) while there are negative relationship with (conductivity), on other hand there are positive significant relationships among (PH, watre depth, ,water temperature, turbidity, and plant with height)with both species (CHironomus plumosu, Einfelidia anustini).Generally environmental factors such as : water PH, watre depth, and water temperature showed positive significant effects on Chironomini,while showed negative significant effects on Tanytarsini larvae conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids (T.D.S), turbidity and plant height showed positive and negative significant and non significant effects on Chironomidae larvae population. The population structure of Chironomids in This agroecosystem followed the dynamic of the field including water availability and phases of rice plant growth.