Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Chironomidae red wings

Posted by nielsyese on 10-08-2017 19:21
#1

Found in May in the west of the Netherlands. Because of the red colour of the wing I post it here. Is an ID possible?

Edited by nielsyese on 10-08-2017 19:24

Posted by John Carr on 10-08-2017 20:43
#2

Tribe Chironomini

Posted by Tony Irwin on 11-08-2017 00:01
#3

I believe the red colour is a hangover from the larva - which was packed with haemoglobin. Often the haemoglobin is passed on to the pupa and thence to the adult. I regularly find adults with red abdomens, but I've never seen one with red wings - an impressive insect! The colour is likely to fade as the insect matures (this is a recently emerged adult, still to expand its wings to their full extent.

Posted by nielsyese on 14-08-2017 20:06
#4

That's really interesting, I did'nt know the colour was passed on to the adult. I saw sometimes adults with red abdomens, but I did'nt realise it could be because of the haemoglobin.