Non-biting Midge Larvae

Statistics

Taxonomic family: Chironomidae

Length: 0.5 to 1.5 cm

Average life span: up to 4 months

Juvenile stage (in water): 2 to 3 months 

Adult stage (out of water): 1 to 3 weeks

When To See

The larvae hatch from the eggs up to a month after being laid in the summer. Larvae go through several stages which can last years before they pupate over a few days and form an adult midge. Adults are often active at dusk and dawn.

Photo credit: Project Noah

Habitat

Non-biting midge larvae can be tolerant of pollution and so are used to study the effects of farmland run-off and effluent from sewage treatment works. They prefer slower moving water such as pools and ponds, as they are not very good swimmers. They are important sources of food for many species, while they themselves can vary from being predatory (often eating smaller midge larvae) and also rotting bits of stuff that they find in the mud at the bottom of the river.

How To Identify

Worm-like shape, with a distinctly separate head which is often darker than the rest of the body. Colouring can be tan, light green or clear, but some are red due to the hemoglobin molecules they contain to allow them to live in low oxygen environments.

Seen It?

Been kicking about in your local river and come across one of these invertebrates? Not sure? Share it with us at trust@forthriverstrust.org, we enjoy chatting about inverts with you.