Dixid midge (Paradixa)

Taxonomic group

Dixidae: Paradixa

Diagnostic features

Paradixa is a member of the dixid midge family. The dixids have small, worm-like larvae that are often bent into a U-shape when live. There are flat, hair-fringed lobes on the last abdominal segment, and the head is often tipped backwards. In Paradixa there are no oval arrangements of fine black hairs on the abdomen (Nothodixa has these hairs).

[Paradixa] larva (with parasitic mites). Image: Stephen Moore Image — Paradixa larva (with parasitic mites). Image: Stephen Moore

[Paradixa] pupa. Image: Stephen Moore Image — Paradixa pupa. Image: Stephen Moore

Typical habitats

Paradixa larvae are found just under the water surface along the margins of weedy streams, ponds and wetlands.

Feeding

Dixids use brush like mouthparts to capture drifting food such as algae and other micro-organisms.

Indicator value

Hard bottom: 4
Soft bottom: 8.5

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

Paradixa larvae are commonly found along the margins of wetlands and weedy streams of moderate to good water quality. They have moderate to high tolerance values of 4 (hard bottom sites) and 8.5 (soft bottom sites).