Stenochironomus hilaris

(Walker, 1848)

Stenochironomus hilaris is a non-biting midge in the Chironomidae, originally described by Walker in 1848. The has been recognized under three junior synonyms (S. taeniapennis, S. zonopterus, and S. exquisitus) that were synonymized based on revisionary work on the Stenochironomus complex. As a member of the subgenus Stenochironomus s.str., its larvae are specialized wood miners with highly modified including dorsoventrally flattened capsules, expanded thoracic segments, and long, flaccid . The species occurs in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.

Stenochironomus hilaris by (c) David George, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David George. Used under a CC-BY license.Stenochironomus hilaris by (c) Matt Muir, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Muir. Used under a CC-BY license.Stenochironomus hilaris by (c) Whitney Mattila, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Whitney Mattila. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Stenochironomus hilaris: /ˌste.nəʊ.kɪˈrɒ.nə.məs haɪˈlɑː.rɪs/

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Identification

can be distinguished from other Stenochironomus using morphological characters detailed in taxonomic keys for the . The species was previously confused with S. taeniapennis, S. zonopterus, and S. exquisitus, now recognized as synonyms. Larvae are identifiable by their highly modified mining form: dorsoventrally compressed capsule, broad thoracic segments, and elongated, flabby .

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Habitat

Running waters represent the ancestral for of the Stenochironomus complex. As a wood-mining species (subgenus Stenochironomus s.str.), larvae inhabit submerged wood in aquatic environments.

Distribution

Nearctic and Neotropical regions.

Behavior

Larvae are wood miners, tunneling into submerged wood in aquatic . This distinguishes the subgenus Stenochironomus s.str. from the leaf-mining subgenus Petalopholeus.

Similar Taxa

  • Stenochironomus taeniapennisJunior synonym, previously described as distinct but synonymized with S. hilaris
  • Stenochironomus zonopterusJunior synonym, previously described as distinct but synonymized with S. hilaris
  • Stenochironomus exquisitusJunior synonym, previously described as distinct but synonymized with S. hilaris
  • Stenochironomus cinctusBelongs to different subgenus (Petalopholeus) with leaf-mining rather than wood-mining larvae

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Sources and further reading