Chironomid midge (Eukiefferiella)

Taxonomic group

Chironomidae: Eukiefferiella

Diagnostic features

Eukiefferiella is a genus within the orthoclad subfamily of the Chironomidae. Like other chironomids the general body form is worm-like, but with a distinct head, and with paired prolegs under the head and at the end of the abdomen. The larvae tend to have a green body and small brown head. Some Eukiefferiella species attach themselves to mayfly nymphs. If not attached to mayflies they are probably often simply recorded as “orthoclads”.

[Eukiefferiella] attached to [Nesameletus] mayfly. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Eukiefferiella attached to Nesameletus mayfly. Image: Stephen Moore

[Eukiefferiella] attached above mayfly gills. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Eukiefferiella attached above mayfly gills. Image: Stephen Moore

Typical habitats

Eukiefferiella larvae are found in a wide range of stream types.

Feeding

Species within this genus are known to feed on streambed algae and organic detritus.

Indicator value

Hard bottom: unassigned; general orthoclad value 2
Soft bottom: unassigned; general orthoclad value 3.2

The tolerance values (ranging from 0 to 10) give an indication of which are the sensitive taxa (values of 8 or more) and which are the tolerant taxa (values of 3 or less). For more information see: Indicator species

Eukiefferiella can be found in high quality streams (along with their mayfly hosts) but this genus has not been assigned tolerance values. Therefore we only have the low tolerance values for the orthoclad family, which are 2 (hard bottom sites) and 3.2 (soft bottom sites).