Chironomid Larva
Scientific Name: Chironomus sp.
Group: Insecta
Size:15mm

These are sometimes called 'bloodworms' because of their bright red colour, but they are not worms at all. They are midge larvae. The larvae eat the dead organic material at the bottom of the pond. They can tolerate very low oxygen levels and are often found in very large numbers in the sludge at the bottom of stagnant ponds.

Food chain
Position in food chain:
Primary consumers (herbivore)
They eat:
dead plant and animal material (detritus)
They are eaten by:
water mites and other carnivores

Chironomid (midge) eggs

The adult midge

Life cycle
The Larva live in the pond. They then turn into a pupa in the mud, the pupa swims to the surface and emerges as a midge, (like the one here). These midges then lay their eggs into the pond, in jelly strings like the one above.

Find out more about Midges

Canterbury Environmental Education Centre