On 30 Jun, 2004, at 0:41, Desert Eagle wrote:
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Can someone give me a definition of what a Chironomid is?
Non-biting midge. Chironomus tentans is a well-known representative, often used as a lab animal for testing the toxicity of pollutants to sediment-dwelling organisms (i.e. the larvae). Chironomids are small-to-medium sized diptera, very similar in looks to mosquitos, but without the biting-sucking mouthparts. Size of the adults varies from 2-3 mm to 12-15 mm. These are the midges that can often be seen hovering in extremely large congregations above shorelines.
The larvae and pupae are a staple food of insect-feeding fish in stillwaters and slow-flowing, silt-bottomed running waters.
Henk
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