Tvetenia
Kieffer, 1922
non-biting midges
Tvetenia is a of non-biting midges in the Chironomidae, Orthocladiinae. occur across northern and eastern Europe, extending into Russia and Central Asia. The genus was established by Kieffer in 1922. Taxonomic revisions have clarified species boundaries, including the synonymy of T. vitracies with T. tshernovskii.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tvetenia: /tʌˈviːtiːniə/
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Identification
Larvae of T. tshernovskii have diagnostic characters that distinguish them from related ; specific emended characters are provided in taxonomic literature. are small, delicate typical of the Orthocladiinae .
Images
Habitat
Aquatic environments including rivers and lakes; specific preferences vary by .
Distribution
Europe including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Croatia, and Austria; Russia including the Neva River and Bay, northeastern European Russia, Timanskii Range rivers, Sakhalin Island, Russian Far East, West Siberia, mid and lower Volga Basin; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan (Lake Issyk-Kul region).
Life Cycle
Complete with , larval, pupal, and stages. Larvae are aquatic.
Ecological Role
Larvae are aquatic contributing to nutrient cycling in freshwater . do not feed.
Similar Taxa
- EukiefferiellaFormerly included T. tshernovskii; separated based on larval diagnostic characters and .
- other Orthocladiinae generaRequire careful examination of larval characters and genitalia for correct identification.