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File: <chiro1.ima.htm> [For educational purposes only] Terminology Glossary <Principal Natural
Enemy Groups > <Citations> |
Immature Stages
of Chironomidae
Detailed information on immature
stages of Chironomidae is being acquired.
However, Clausen (1940) noted species of the subfamily Tanypodinae
subsist mainly on the larvae of other Chironomidae. Trissocladius equitans Claas., however,
appears to be a true external parasite of the nymphs of a May fly, Rithrogena, and an account of
its habits was provided by Claassen (1922).
Larvae of various instars except the 1st are found on the mesothorax
under the wing pads, and the head is embedded in the host tissues. A sheet of silk is spun over the body and
is attached along its entire margin to the body of the host, so that no
outside feeding can take place. The
larva is thus closely confined to the host body. In its younger stages, the larva lies across the abdomen of the
host, but later it assumes a V-shaped position (Fig. 157). Pupation occurs beneath the web, and the
pupa works its way out from underneath this covering and ascends to the
surface of the water just before adult emergence. Dactylocladius
brevipalpus Galt was found
to be parasitic on Mayfly nymphs of Rithogena
and other genera in France. The
larvae are found only beneath the wing pads, and the species is considered to
be a true parasite rather than a commensal (Dorier 1938). Please CLICK on picture to view details:
References: Please refer to <biology.ref.htm>, [Additional references may
be found at: MELVYL Library ] |
