small red midge

not listed

NNR - Unranked

not listed

Small red midge is a non-biting, mosquito-like fly. It occurs in Europe and North America. In the United States, there are just a handful of records scattered across eight states, mostly in the northeast.

The larvae are found mostly in sediment in the near shore (littoral) and sublittoral zones of lakes and ponds, but also in soft sediment around aquatic plants in streams and rivers. They live in tubes constructed from plant debris. They prey on other small invertebrates, including other midge larvae. Adults are found in damp areas and around standing water. They are often seen hovering above water bodies. They are short lived.

The antennae on the male have 13 flagellomeres, and they are feather-like (plumose).

The first five segments (tergites) of the abdomen are greenish white. The sixth through eighth segments are blackish brown.

The wings are clear, with no dark markings.

The legs are mostly pale. The tip of the third leg segment (femur) on each leg is blackish brown. On the male, the femur on the front legs has a patch of backward pointing hairs on the outer (apical) half.

Around lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and damp areas

Small invertebrates

Sources

24, 29, 30, 82, 83.

iNaturalist uses the common name “small red midge” for Microtendipes pedellus. The name aptly describes the aquatic larva, which is entirely red in at least one stage of its development. No other source can be found that uses any common name for this insect.

Location: Woodbury, MN