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Diptera.info :: Identification queries :: Diptera (adults)
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male/female chironomid?
gdoer
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Posted on 18-10-2019 21:08
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This chironomid is from Convict Creek in Mammoth Lakes, CA. It is 2.86 mm. Part of believes it is a male because the fused tip of the gonocoxite. Alternatively, is this a female I am mistaking for a male? What leads me to believe this is that the antennae are not plumous. Some basic principles to distinguish males from females would be much appreciated! Thanks!
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gdoer
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Posted on 18-10-2019 21:08
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full body
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gdoer
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Posted on 18-10-2019 22:25
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Also, this one
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gdoer
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Posted on 18-10-2019 22:25
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.
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John Carr
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Posted on 18-10-2019 23:03
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That is a female with cerci exposed. Male genitalia are bigger and the adbomen usually cylindrical.
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31715949@N00
Tony Irwin
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Posted on 19-10-2019 09:40
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There is no simple way of telling males from females in Chironomidae. Generally, males have large plumose antennae, while females have antennae that are shorter and more sparsely haired. However there are exceptions, with some females having longer hairs on the antennae and some males have antennae that look like those of females.
Looking at the genitalia is more reliable, but you need to become familiar with the range of morphology in both males and females. It's helpful to remember that females tend to have fatter abdomens and often the eggs can be seen through the abdominal wall.
Tony
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Tony Irwin
 
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23.06.25 18:10
If you have some spare money, there is a copy (together with keys to pupae and larvae) for sale by Hermann L. Strack, Loguivy Plougras, France

23.06.25 11:18
Appreciate it, Tony Irwin! I got the hint to use the key next to Langton and Pinder key for females of Chironomidae. So no specific queries, except the keys... I will keep this on my list and hope th

19.06.25 15:33
I have the hard copy book, if you have any specific queries, but I'm not scanning the 500+ pages!

02.06.25 18:26
Anyone has "Chironomidae of the Holarctic region. Keys and diagnoses. Part 3. Adult Males Entomologica Scandinavica Supplement 34"? smolwaarneming@gma
il.com

28.05.25 20:57
I have Russian Coenosia. nikita6510@ya.ru

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Is someone able to share with me "A key to the Russian species of the genus Coenosia"?

08.05.25 18:22
I have

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