Snow-midges

Guides

• Diamesa

  Winter Midges, Snow Midges

  Diamesa is a genus of non-biting midges in the subfamily Diamesinae of the family Chironomidae. Adults are commonly known as winter midges or snow midges due to their unusual cold-season activity. The genus exhibits remarkable cold tolerance, with adults active at sub-zero temperatures and larvae inhabiting cold, running waters. Some species display wing dimorphism, with brachypterous (short-winged) forms adapted for ground mating on snow and ice, and macropterous (fully-winged) forms that swarm in flight during spring.

  ChironomidaeDiamesinaewinter-activitycold-adaptationbrachypterywing-dimorphismglacial-streamssnow-midgesbioindicatormountain-insectsarctic-alpinemultivoltinecrenalaquatic-insects