Ablabesmyia annulata

(Say, 1823)

Ablabesmyia annulata is a of non-biting midge in the Chironomidae, originally described by Thomas Say in 1823 as Tanypus annulata. The species occurs in the Nearctic region, with documented in Canadian freshwater lakes including Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Marion Lake, British Columbia. Like other members of the , it has an aquatic larval stage with instar separation approximately following . The immatures and males have been formally redescribed and illustrated in taxonomic literature.

Ablabesmyia annulata by (c) Tyler Bishop, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tyler Bishop. Used under a CC-BY license.

Ablabesmyia annulata by (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland. Used under a CC-BY license.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ablabesmyia annulata: //ˌæbləˈbɛsmiə əˈnuːlətə//

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Identification

males and stages (larvae) have been redescribed and illustrated in taxonomic keys for Nearctic Ablabesmyia. Specific diagnostic characters distinguishing A. annulata from are provided in published keys to immatures of the , though these require microscopic examination.

Images

Habitat

Freshwater lakes; documented from Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Marion Lake, British Columbia. Other from Alberta to Ontario contained no more than one of Ablabesmyia, suggesting patchy distribution or low abundance in some localities.

Distribution

Nearctic region: Canada (Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta to Ontario); distribution records also include Brazil (São Paulo state) and Norway based on GBIF data. The was originally described from North America.

Life Cycle

Aquatic larval stage with multiple instars; separation of larval instars approximately follows . Complete details and not documented in available sources.

Similar Taxa

Ablabesmyia monilisNearctic A. (A.) monilis has been historically confused with A. (A.) basalis; A. annulata is distinguished by characters in published larval keys
Other Ablabesmyia speciesSeven of Ablabesmyia co-occur in Lake Winnipeg; keys to Nearctic immatures are required for definitive identification

More Details

Taxonomic history

Originally described as Tanypus annulata by Say in 1823; later transferred to Ablabesmyia. The subgenus Asayia was established for this group.

Research significance

A. annulata was included in a comprehensive taxonomic redescription of Canadian Ablabesmyia , contributing to keys for Nearctic immatures used in identification and biomonitoring.