Aquatic Insects of Michigan

by Ethan Bright, Museum of Zoology Insect Division and School of Natural Resources and Environment
University of Michigan

Toggle Menu

Chaoboridae (Phantom Midges) of Michigan - Identification

Adults
(adapted from Cook 1981)

1a a. Clypeus long, nearly as long as height of rest of head capsule b. Halter with numerous seta on stern and knob c. Postpronotum undivided medially, its lateral lobes connected to one another by a narrow transverse band between the anteprenotum and scutum d. Ab9 tergum of male produced into two posteriorly directed spine-like processes Eucorethrinae, Eucorethra underwoodi Underwood
1b a. Clypeus shorter, no more than 2/3 x the height of rest of head capsule b. Halter with or without numerous seta c. Lateral lobes of postpronotum separated medially by scutum and antepronotum d. Ab9 tergum of male produced with only one median process, or none Chaoborinae, 2

2a a. First tarsomere shorter than second b. Halter with numerous setae on stem and knob c. Gonostylus of male with spiniform seta at apex d. Antepronotum of female resembling a broad collar anterior to scutum Mochlonyx Loew
2b a. First tarsomere longer than second b. Halter with two groups of 2-5 seta on knob c. Gonostylus of male without apical spiniform seta at apex d. Antepronotum of female reduced to a slender band medially Chaoborus Lichtenstein

Pupa
(adapted from Cook 1981)

1a a. Thoracic respiratory organ trumpet-shaped, wide open at apex Eucorethrinae, Eucorethra underwoodi Underwood
1b a. Thoracic respiratory organ spindle-shaped, with a small apical opening Chaoborinae, 2

2a a. Swimming paddle with a rigid membrane, weak marginal ribs, and a median reinforcing rib Mochlonyx Loew
2b a. Swimming paddle with membrane reinforced by a median and strong marginal ribs Chaoborus Lichtenstein

Larva
(adapted from Courtney & Merritt 2008)

1a a. Ab8 with an elongate dorsal respiratory siphon Mochlonyx Loew
1b a. Ab8 with either a short stout respiratory, or absent 2

2a(1b) a. Thorax rounded laterally b. Hydrostatic air-sacs present in thorax c. Ab8 with respiratory siphon absent Chaoborus Lichtenstein
2b a. Thorax diamond-shaped in dorsal view b. Hydrostatic air-sacs absent c. Ab8 with respiratory siphon short, stout, terminating in a conspicuous flat spiracular apparatus Eucorethra Underwood

References

Cook EF. 1981. Chaoboridae, pp. 335-339 in McAlpine JF, Peterson BV, Shewell GE, Teskey, HJ, Vockeroth JR, Wood DM, coordinators. Manual of Nearctic Diptera. Volume 1. Curran, C. H. Book Monograph, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada.
Courtney GW, Merritt RW. 2008. Chapter 22. Aquatic Diptera. Part One. Larvae of aquatic Diptera, pp. 687-722 in Merritt RW, Cummins KW, Berg MB, eds. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America. 4th Ed., Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., Dubuque, Iowa, USA.

Page created: November 25, 2013; Last updated: April 21, 2017 (EB)