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Midges

Worm-like larvae with a sclerotised head, and prolegs at each end of the body OR needle-like body with scetorised head and no prolegs.
Ceratopogonid larvae. Image: Stephen Moore

Biting midge (Ceratopogonidae)

The most common ceratopogonid larvae occurring in fresh waters are probably often overlooked because they are small and needle-like, with...

Forcipomyid larva. Image: Stephen Moore

Biting midge (Forcipomyiinae)

The Forcipomyiinae is a subfamily of the Ceratopogonidae, with larvae that look very different to other freshwater ceratopogonids. Forcip...

Midge [Chironomus]. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Chironomus)

[Chiromonus] is one of our best known midges, with larvae commonly referred to as “blood worms” due to their vivid red colour (when live)...

[Corynoneura]. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Corynoneura)

[Corynoneura] is a small, easily overlooked midge, belonging to the orthoclad subfamily of the Chironomidae. Like other chironomids the g...

[Eukiefferiella]. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Eukiefferiella)

[Eukiefferiella] is a genus within the orthoclad subfamily of the Chironomidae. Like other chironomids the general body form is worm-like...

[Harrisius]. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Harrisius)

[Harrisius] is one of the Chironomini subfamily of the Chironomidae. Like other chironomids the general body form is worm-like, but with ...

[Lobodiamesa]. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Lobodiamesa)

[Lobodiamesa] is a member of the Diamesinae, a subfamily of the Chironomidae. Like other chironomids the general body form is worm-like, ...

[Maoridiamesa]. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Maoridiamesa)

[Maoridiamesa] is the most common member of the Diamesinae, a subfamily of the Chironomidae. Like other chironomids the general body form...

[Orthoclad] midge emerging from silt tube. Image: Stephen Moore.

Chironomid midge (Orthoclad)

The Orthocladiinae is a large subfamily of the Chironomid midges. Like other chironomids the general body form is worm-like, but with a d...

[Paucispinigera]. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Paucispinigera)

[Paucispinigera] is one of our lesser known members of the Chironomini subfamily of chironomid midges. Like other chironomids the general...

Podonominae larvae. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Podonominae)

The Podonominae is a subfamily of chironomid midges. Like other chironomids the general body form is worm-like, but with a distinct head,...

[Polypedilum] larvae. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Polypedilum)

[Polypedilum] is a commonly occurring member of the Chironomini subfamily of chironomid midges. Like other chironomids the general body f...

[Stictocladius] larvae. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Stictocladius)

[Stictocladius] is one of the Orthocladiinae subfamily of the Chironomid midges. Like other chironomids the general body form is worm-lik...

Tanypod larva. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Tanypodinae)

The Tanypodinae is a subfamily of chironomid midges. Like other chironomids the general body form is worm-like, but with a distinct head,...

Tanytarsini larva. Image: Stephen Moore

Chironomid midge (Tanytarsini)

The Tanytarsini is a tribe of midges within the Chironomini subfamily of chironomid midges. Like other chironomids the general body form ...

[Nothodixa]. Image: Stephen Moore

Dixid midge (Nothodixa)

[Nothodixa] is a member of the dixid midge family. The dixids have small, worm-like larvae that are often bent into a U-shape when live. ...

[Paradixa]. Image: Stephen Moore

Dixid midge (Paradixa)

[Paradixa] is a member of the dixid midge family. The dixids have small, worm-like larvae that are often bent into a U-shape when live. T...

Blepharicerid larva. Image: Stephen Moore

Net wing midge (Blephariceridae)

The Blephariceridae (or “net wing midges”) have larvae that are unlikely to be confused with any other aquatic insects. They have an almo...

Thaumaleidae larva. Image: Stephen Moore

Solitary midges (Thaumaleidae)

The Thaumaleidae is a little known family of true flies with freshwater larvae. They resemble chironomid midges, but the prolegs at each ...