DIPTERA > NEMATOCERA | Lower Diptera

CULICOMORPHA > Chironomoidea > Chironomidae (628 species)

(subfamilies: Buchonomyiinae, Chironominae, Diamesinae, Orthocladiinae, Podonominae, Prodiamesinae, Tanypodinae and Telmatogetoninae)

For completeness, the following list makes reference to all eight subfamilies but, for all intents and purposes, only the three main groups, Chironominae, Orthocladiinae and Tanypodinae need to be considered. I've confirmed the tribes where applicable and the number of species and genera in each taxon as per the April 24 update of the British Diptera Checklist. I've included a few notes to assist identification and have listed any known species that I've photographed in taxonomic order. 

Buchonomyiinae

Monogeneric with a single extant species, Buchonomyia thienemanni with just two records.

Chironominae (featured photos on the previous page)

This is the largest subfamily worldwide and, just about, the largest in Britain with 268 species in 49 genera, which are separated into three tribes; Chironomini, Pseudochironomini and Tanytarsini.

Species distinguished by having no M-cu crossvein, and with the first segment of the fore tarsus longer than the tibia; legs typically held in front and above the head when at rest.

> Chironomini - a species-rich division comprising 159 species in 37 genera

RM crossvein at a distinct angle to R4+5, and usually with the fore tarsus significantly longer than the tibia; male eyes usually with a distinct dorsal extension above the base of the antennae. The 34 members of the Chironomus genus have a pronotum that forms a distinct collar that reaches the front edge of the scutum, but is not completely divided in the middle.

Chironomus plumosus - our largest and most frequently recorded chironomid as confirmed on the previous page; somewhat variable as there are a range of colour forms - green, ginger, brown or black.

Microtentipes pedellus - a frequently recorded, reasonably distinctive Chironomini midge with a dark brown thorax and a pale green abdomen apart from the final three tergites, which are blackish-brown. The legs are pale with dak tips to the femora.

> Pseudochironomini - comprises a single species, Pseudochironomus prasinatus with just three records.

> Tanytarsini - comprises 108 species in 11 genera.

RM crossvein nearly parallel to M and R4+5, M vein usually ends near the wing tip, wings hairy at least near the tip, fore tarsus only marginally longer than the fore tibia; species are usually less than 5mm - the larger, more conspicuous midges normally belong to Chironomini.

Diamesinae

Includes 17 species in six genera. Less than 100 records in total, mostly from Wales, some from Scotland.

Orthocladiinae

Includes 264 species, but unlike Chironominae with a very similar number, there are no subfamilies.

Broadly distinguished by the first segment of fore tarsus being shorter than the tibia; whether it's much help, but it's been observed that the members of this subfamily tend to spend less time when at rest with their front legs raised.

Metriocnemus - a reasonably large genus of 16 species - body generally all black, pronotum forming a distinct collar, wings with distinct macrotrichia at least at tip, cross-vein RM rather short, eyes mostly bare. The identity of the individuals featured below is suggested based on the hairy wings and time of year, but other genera are possible.

Podonominae and Prodiamesinae

These two subfamilies include a total of just eight species in six genera, which have only been recorded from Wales.

Tanypodinae

Includes 70 species in 26 genera, separated into seven tribes, the largest by far being Pentaneurini with 44 species in 16 genera.

Members of the subfamily are broadly distinguished by wing vein R2+3 usually forked, and with the wings always being densely covered with macrotrichia.

Clinotanypus nervosus - although there are only a very small handful of records, this species was positively identified from the photo with the comment "just clear enough to see that the fourth tarsal segment is shorter than the fifth, and that under better magnification you would see that it is bilobed".

Procladius sp. - positively identified from the general appearance and wing spots, and likely Procladius choreus, which is a frequently recorded species.

Psectrotanypus varius - distinctive and readily identifiable from the wing markings.

Tanypus punctipennis - another distinctive chironomid that can be identified from appearance and wing markings; it's not as frequent as the two previous species and, in fact, has never been officially recorded from either Dorset (VC9) or South Hampshire (VC11).

Telmatogetoninae

Includes four species in two genera with just 20 or so records.

Page added, Dec.24 (v.1)