Midges

Order-Diptera
Family- Chironomidae

Midges look like mosquitoes but they do not bite. The larvae are about a half and inch long and have a curved body. They can be red, yellow, green, or white in color. The red larvae are also called bloodworms. The larvae move with a squirming motion. They have one pair of legs below the head and one pair at the end of their body. They can be found clinging to debris in the water. Midges play an important role in the ecosystem of a river. They are a source of food for fish and waterfowl and they are involved in recycling organic wastes. Large numbers of midges can indicate a large amount of organic material in the water.

pictures courtesy of Valley City State University Macro-Invertebrate Lab