Life History of the Chironomidae

Abstract

Additional references and information on most of the topics covered here may be found in this excellent book. Even with this restriction a high degree of selection is necessary and most of the papers on genetics, physiology, pro­ ductivity and biomass, and fish food are not considered. Many of the papers cited have been chosen because they are most likely to be useful for fur­ ther reference. CLASSIFICATION It seems necessary to comment briefly on the reasons for the confusion which exists in the classification of the Chironomidae. Part of the confusion arises from the dual use of two family names. The name Tendipes Meigen 1800 was used rather than Chironomus Meigen 1803 by many taxonomists as the type genus of the family. A recent ruling of the International Com­ mission on Zoological Nomenclature has suppressed the Meigen 1800 names in favor of his 1803 names (se e Fittkau 39). As a result, the name Ten­ dipes was suppressed in favor of Chironomus, and similarly Pelopia was suppressed in favor of Tanypus. This action means that the correct name of the family is Chironomidae not Tendipedidae. Furthermore, it also estab­ lishes that the subfamily names Chironominae and Tanypodinae are correct. Although not covered by a ruling it is generally accepted that Orthocladii­ nae be used in place of Hydrobaeninae. Tanytarsus has been used as a ge­ nus in the tribe Chironomini, but another ruling (Bull. Zool. Nom. 18, Opin­ ion 616) established it as a genus in the tribe Tanytarsini. The classification of holometabolous insects presents special difficulties because the characteristics of all the life stages must be considered. Differ­ ent ecological requirements of each stage often result in greater diversity, both ecological and morphological, in one stage than in another. The adults of the Chironomidae are usually more uniform in stru cture than are the immature stages, especially the larvae. The adult stage is somewhat ephem