CHIRONOMUS Journal of Chironomidae Research

Progress in a time of change

Alyssa Anderson — 2021-12-31

The 21st International Symposium on Chironomidae

Richard Cornette — 2021-06-22

Short comment on Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) from Brazil’s Federal District

Kathia Cristhina Sonoda — 2021-06-21

There is much left to learn about the diversity of Chironomidae in Brazil. To help to resolve this problem, a preliminary study of the Chironomidae present in a stream located in center of Brazil was proposed. The aim of this research was to provide a first record of the Chironomidae assemblage at Sarandi stream, in the Brazilian Cerrado. Samples were taken using a handheld D-net from the stream in October 2009. The samples were transported to the laboratory where the material was processed and the Chironomidae specimens were slide mounted, counted and identified to genera. Ninety individuals belonging to 15 genera were found, Chironomini was the richest tribe, with seven genera, while Tanytarsini showed the highest abundance of individuals (55.6%). Overall, Rheotanytarsus (20%), Tanytarsus ortoni-group (16.7%) and Lopescladius (14.4%) were the most abundant genera.

Propsilocerus Kieffer, 1923 shares morphological synapomorphies with Prodiamesinae

Viktor Baranov — 2021-09-19

In their comprehensive analysis Cranston et al. (2012) quite unexpectedly recovered a monophyletic Orthocladiinae, except that Propsilocerus Kieffer, 1923, was recovered as a representative of Prodiamesinae. In this short communication I show that Propsilocerus shares morphological synapomorphies with other Prodiamesinae – namely (i) an indirect tracheal connection of the pupal thoracic horn to the adult spiracle and (ii) a parallel-sided rami of female gonapophysis IX.

L. C (Clive) V. Pinder, 6 December 1943 - 31 July 2021.

Peter S. Cranston — 2021-09-13

Leonard C. Ferrington, Jr. (1948-2021): Chironomid cognoscente and modern-day Renaissance man

Raymond Bouchard — 2021-12-31

Longevities of Adult Chironomidae (Diptera) from Two Streams in Iceland

Corrie Nyquist — 2021-06-21

Mean annual air temperatures are predicted to increase by several degrees in the Arctic. This increase in temperature will likely impact organisms adapted to current conditions. Studies of longevities of winter-active Chironomidae from cold, groundwater-fed streams in Minnesota demonstrate that winter-emerging species are long-lived as adults when incubated at cold or sub-freezing air temperatures post emergence. It is unknown if this holds for species emerging in sub-arctic latitudes during warm months, or if warm air temperatures affect the adults of species emerging from cold and geothermally heated streams. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of exposure to air temperatures predicted by climate change models on the longevities of Chironomidae emerging from both cold and geothermally heated larval environments. Chironomidae were trapped at emergence from two groundwater-fed streams with contrasting (warm and cold) thermal regimes at the Hengladalir valleys in the Hengill alpine geothermal area in southwestern Iceland over 4 days in July 2018. Adults (N=102) were randomly divided into two treatments and incubated at either 20°C or 6°C for 28-32 days to determine influence of source stream and incubation temperature on adult longevity. These temperatures were selected to simulate current and predicted water and air temperatures that adult chironomids are likely to be exposed to with climate change. Adults incubated at 6°C survived longer than adults incubated at 20°C irrespective of source stream. All adults incubated at 20°C died within 1-5 days post-emergence. Longevities of taxa incubated at 6°C ranged from 13 to more than 32 days. Species of Diamesa exhibited the greatest longevities, with 41.7% surviving more than 28-32 days post-emergence at 6°C. We were unable to determine maximum longevity for Diamesa within the 6°C treatment because surviving adults had to be sacrificed at the termination of the experiment on day 32. However, the minimum longevity we report is similar to longevities determined for other Diamesa species and indicates that Diamesa species in Iceland are also long-lived under cold air temperatures. We suggest there may be a difference in longevity between sex, with females living longer than males at cold temperatures. By contrast, we found that both sexes of Diamesa and all other chironomid taxa that we tested are susceptible to warm air temperatures regardless of stream of origin. Therefore, warming climatic temperatures could potentially lead to shortened adult lifespans for these sub-arctic taxa.

Pseudorthocladius immezensis sp. n., a new relict species inhabiting the Macun high-alpine stream, Swiss Alps (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Brigitte Lods-Crozet — 2021-08-24

Male adult of Pseudorthocladius immezensis sp. n

is diagnosed and described based on material collected in the high alpine cirque of the Macun area (Immez Lake basin, alt. 2616 m a.s.l.).

A combination of morphological characters found in the male adult has allowed us to consider this new species as a local biogeographical representative of the eastern part of the Swiss Alps: coronal suture with lateral extension, low antennal ratio (AR 0.30); distal half of wing hairy; anal point broadly triangular with a characteristic enlarged base; inner apical margin of gonocoxite truncate; superior volsella large lobe-like; inferior volsella double, dorsal lobe nose-like and distinctly bent apically; virga present, with 4 spines; crista dorsalis absent. A differential diagnosis is given, in which some distinguishing morphological characters are summarised. Comments on the ecology and geographical distribution of the new species are also provided.

Dicrotendipes sinicus Lin & Qi, sp. n. (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Xiaolong Lin — 2021-12-19

The name Dicrotendipes sinicus was originally proposed in 2018, but the requirements of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature were not fulfilled to make the name available. We here re-propose the name with full Code compliance and redescribe and illustrate all life stages of the species to make the name available.