#chironomidae

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Contrary to popular belief, there is nowhere on Earth that is entirely bug free; not even Antarctica! Although our southernmost continent lacks ants, scientists have discovered the world's southermost insect-- aptly named the Antarctic midge-- living on Antarctica's Refuge Islands, at a latitude of 68°21'S. Because these midges don't swim or fly, they are considered Antarctica's largest terrestrial animal, despite being only 6 mm (0.2 in) in length!

(Image: An Antarctic midge (Belgica antarctica) by Richard E. Lee Jr.

[misterfishyfish]

Okey, throwback to my quite new entomologist oc, since soon I’ll be taking some exams that are connected to bugs! (I’m really excited for that yippie!)

She’ll be showing up more as I’ll be prepearing for the exam.

The little buggo is probably some Chironomidae species (drawn from photo that I took, cuz it looked so cute!)

[onenicebugperday]

@cattyanon submitted: Found this weird bug hiding under some of my paper tonight when I moved the stack ever so slightly. I live in Louisiana and this guy was about the size of a house fly. I managed to catch and released em outside but the moment I obtained pictures I knew I had to inquire…

This sweet precious angel is a non-biting midge in the family Chironomidae :)

[transparentfossil]

Fossil True Midge (Chironomidae) in Baltic Amber

[every-day-creechur]

Cricotopus

A genus of non-biting midges found worldwide.

image by Jeff Ward

[coolbugs]

Bug of the Day

Happy Fly Day Friday!! Please enjoy the excellent wing patterning on this tiny, non-biting midge, Psectrotanypus dyari.

[reanimateobjects]

[drhoz]

#2725 - Polypedilum pavidum

Another Chironomid. This species is endemic to Aotearoa, but the genus is probably the largest in the family, with many genera folded back into it.

Polydelium larvae can be the most common invertebrates in nutrient-rich ponds, with over 1200 in each square meter.

Waipiata, Aotearoa New Zealand.