California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Aquatic Biological Assement

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Chironomidae Level 1 Level 2

Chironomidae

 

Key Characters

"Midges" or "bloodworms" (ones w/ hemoglobin). Found everwhere, usually add 50% to the species diversity of any aquatic system. Elongate, C-shaped, and cylindrical. Prolegs w/ hooks on prothoracic & last abdominal segments.
Tolerance highly variable, from 0-10
Distribution CA, OR, WA, NV, AZ