Biting midges, sand flies

Code QD099999

The Ceratopogonidae form the sister group of the Chironomidae. In the larval stage the relationship is obvious: they are difficult to separate. In keys, the two families are separated in several sections, because based on external body morphology alone, some Orthocladiinae resemble some Ceratopogonidae. However, there is an unique internal structure to ceratopogonid larvae: this is the strongly developed pharyngeal apparatus, which has two strongly divergent arms with prominent combs between. No chironomid has such pharyngeal development.

Larval ecology varies with subfamily: Leptoconopinae are sand- burrowers in fresh, estuarine and marine shores. Dasyheleinae are characteristic of container habitats, including phytotelmata. The Ceratopogoninae vary in habit, but include many semi-aquatic and aquatic species (see Elson-Harris, 1990, for partial generic key; several taxa can be found in tree holes). Forcipomyiinae are more terrestrial but include fully aquatic species.

Key to subfamilies (modified from Elson-Harris, 1990):

1 Prolegs and anal setae absent. Head capsule reduced, comprising strengthened sclerotised rods; body with secondary segmentation ................... Leptoconopinae

- Prolegs and anal setae present. Head capsule fully sclerotised, or if with sclerotised rods, then body without secondary segmentation ...............................2

2 Both anterior and posterior prolegs present. Body segments with either small spines or long processes .......................................................... Forcipomyiinae

- Anterior prolegs absent, anal segments with either posterior prolegs or anal bristles; body never with long processes .................................................................3

3 Anal segment with retractile posterior prolegs; in life, movements slow and cumbersome ............................................................. Dasyheleinae

- Anal segment with several pairs of bristles surrounding anus; in life, rapidly swimming with sinuous movement ...................................... Ceratopogoninae

Austroconopinae immature stages unknown (one genus, Austroconops , western Australian).

Reference:

Elson-Harris, M.M. (1990) Keys to the immature stages of some Australian Ceratopogonidae. Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 29 : 267-275.