Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Small midges

Posted by Juergen Peters on 29-03-2007 02:07
#1
Hello!

These 2.5 mm midges were swarming in large numbers around an oak in a swampy valley with a rivulet (Ostwestfalen/Germany) yesterday. Are they Cecidomyiidae? Thanks!
Edited by Juergen Peters on 29-03-2007 02:09

Posted by Paul Beuk on 29-03-2007 08:02
#2
They are.

Posted by Juergen Peters on 29-03-2007 12:18
#3
Hello, Paul!

Paul Beuk wrote:
They are.


Thanks! I was wondering, why they were swarming around the stem of the oak and not around some buds. I was not expecting that for this family (and not the large numbers), before looking more closely I thought about some Chironomids or Sciarids.

Posted by Paul Beuk on 29-03-2007 12:23
#4
Could have to do with mating behaviour, but I could not find anything in literature so far.

Posted by Juergen Peters on 29-03-2007 12:28
#5
Hello, Paul!

Paul Beuk wrote:
Could have to do with mating behaviour


I thought of that, too. The big single oak on the meadow could be some sort of easily remarkeable meeting point.