Key reviews
Keys and larval descriptions suitable for identifying chironomid head capsules are often difficult to obtain. Since many of these publications have been designed to identify modern chironomid larvae it is also not always clear a priori whether they are applicable to fossil material. The 'identification key reviews' published on this page are intended to provide more information on the suitability of these publications for identifying fossil chironomids. This list is by no means complete and will hopefully be expanded in the near future (Last change: September 27, 2007).
Brooks, S., Langdon, P. and Heiri, O. (2007). The Identification and Use of Palaearctic Chironomidae Larvae in Palaeoecology. Quaternary Research Association, Technical Guide 10, pp. 276
by Maarten van Hardenbroek, September 24, 2007
The identification guide contains a detailed description of the morphology of the remains of (sub)fossil chironomid larvae and the ecology of their living counterparts in the Palaearctic. It also includes a general introduction on the taphonomy of chironomid records and sample processing/preparation. Taxonomic keys of subfamilies Tanypodinae, Chironominae, Orthocladiinae, Diamesinae, Prodiamesinae and Podonomidae can be used to identify remains to the level of genus, species group and sometimes species. These keys are followed by a detailed description per genus of the morphology and ecology of the species groups involved. A neat feature are the ‘similar taxa’ paragraphs for each genus that describes look-alike taxa and how to tell them apart, which make the keys easy to use for beginners as well. Each chapter is illustrated with a large number of full colour photographs. Order from http://qra.org.uk/technical_guides.htm. £14 (€21) for QRA members and £20 (€30) for non-members. (This article is a shortened version of a book review published by Maarten in Stuifmail Volume 26, pp. 12-13)
Makarchenko, E. A., and Makarchenko, M. A. (1999). Chironomidae. In "Key to Freshwater Invertebrates of Russia and Adjacent Lands." (S. J. Tsalolikhin, Ed.), Zoological Institute RAS, St. Petersburg, pp. 210-295
by Oliver Heiri, July 6, 2006
The article is a chapter in an indentification guide written entirely in Russian and describes the chironomid larvae found in Russia and neighbouring regions. It contains a large number of line drawings of larval structures such as the mentum, mandibles, premandibles, and antennae. Most illustrations have been redrawn from other identification guides such as Wiederholm (1983) or Cranston (1982). However, a number of illustrations are from keys that are difficult to access using library exchange services and I found this article quite useful as supplementary literature for fossil head capsule identification. For example, the authors describe 21 different Psectrocladius larvae, describe the head capsule of Sergentia longiventris and illustrate a number of chironomid larvae I have not previously seen illustrations of. The main disadvantage of the guide is that it is in Russian which I guess many of us will find difficult to read...
Oliver, D.R. & M.E. Roussel, 1983. The Insects and Arachnids of Canada, Part 11: The Genera of Larval Midges of Canada-Diptera: Chironomidae. Agriculture Canada Publication 1746: 263 pp.
by Joshua Kurek, June 22, 2005
This publication contains keys, drawings (limited), and photos for the identification of the 4th larval instar of most genera (~120) of chironomids known to Canada. Descriptions are based on specimens associated with adults from central, northwest, and Arctic Canada. Each genus contains larval descriptions, general remarks, distribution, and coarse habitat information. In particular, the photos of the mentum and mandibles are excellent and extremely useful for fossil identification. Order from http://canada.gc.ca/main_e.html Go to publications and reports. Search by author or subject. The cost is $6 (Cdn plus shipping/handling).
Epler, J.H. 2001. Identification Manual for the Larval Chironomidae (Diptera) of North and South Carolina. A guide to the taxonomy of the midges of the southeastern United States, including Florida. Special Publication SJ2001-SP13. North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Raleigh, NC, and St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka, FL. 526 pp.
by Joshua Kurek, June 22, 2005
This manual was written for use in the southeastern US; although, it may be useful for most of the eastern US. The manual contains NO photographs. However, the numerous line drawings of genera are excellent. All illustrations were produced from reared specimens. An extensive introduction is included with very reader friendly notes on: how to use this guide, larval & head capsule morphology, glossary of key terms, and information regarding the identification, collection, mounting, and rearing of midges. This is a very robust and user friendly key; most helpful to fossil midge taxonomists of any level of experience. The guide is available free in PDF format from http://www.esb.enr.state.nc.us/BAUwww/Chironomid.htm. Also, you can order a bound hardcopy for ~$20 (US) from http://home.earthlink.net/~johnepler/howto.html.
Moller Pillot, H.K.M., 1984. De larven der nederlandse Chironomidae (Diptera) (Inleiding, Tanypodinae & Chironomini). Nederlandse Faunistische Mededelingen 1A: 1-277.
by Oliver Heiri, June 24, 2005
The title of this Dutch publications translates to 'The larvae of the Chironomidae of the Netherlands (Introduction, Tanypodinae and Chironomini)'. It includes detailed descriptions of the larvae of 23 genera of Tanypodinae and 32 genera of Chironomini found in the Netherlands. Descriptions of Tanypodinae larvae usually include an illustration of the glossa and paraglossae, and sometimes of the mandible and dorsomentum. No reference to the position of the setae on the larval headcapsules is made. Descriptions of Chironomini larvae include illustrations of the mentum, usually together with the ventromental plates. I find especially the Chironomini part quite useful for subfossil material, especially since it includes a number of species not found in Wiederholm (1983). The key can be ordered from Naturalis (www.naturalis.nl; e-mail: eis 'at' naturalis.nl) for 9 EUR plus postage.
Moller Pillot, H.K.M., 1984. De larven der nederlandse Chironomidae (Diptera) (Orthocladiinae sensu lato). Nederlandse Faunistische Mededelingen 1B: 1-175.
by Oliver Heiri, June 24, 2005
This identification guide written in Dutch contains descriptions of the larvae of 30 genera of Orthocladiinae, Diamesinae and Prodiamesinae found in the Netherlands. Larval descriptions usually include an illustration of the mentum and ventromental plates. The key is useful for subfossil headcapsules and I find it very helpful, especially since it includes a number of species not found in Wiederholm (1983). The main disadvantage of the guide is that it is largely restricted to temperate lowland taxa and does not describe many of the cold indicators found in alpine lakes and arctic environments. The key can be ordered from Naturalis (www.naturalis.nl; e-mail: eis 'at' naturalis.nl) for 9 EUR plus postage.