Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Really, really tiny midges #1: Ceratopogonidae?

Posted by Juergen Peters on 09-09-2007 20:43
#1
Hello!

Last night I photographed many 2 mm or less Diptera at the UV light in our garden (Ostwestfalen/Germany). This one was about 1 mm and (like some others I will post) hardly challenging the technical possibilities of my camera, so sorry for some sharpness problems.
I'm not sure about the family. Could it be Ceratopogonidae?

The were some bigger (1.2-1.5 mm), less slender Ceratopogonids, too. With these I have no doubts about the family (female and male):
http://www.foto-u..._2mm_W.jpg
http://www.foto-u..._2mm_M.jpg
Edited by Juergen Peters on 09-09-2007 20:47

Posted by Tony Irwin on 09-09-2007 21:31
#2
They are all ceratopogonids. The antennae are "folded-up", so they appear less bushy. Ceratopogonids do this more often than chironomids, chaoborids and culicids, but all of these sometimes do it too, so it's not a reliable character to distinguish this family - just a useful hint.

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 09-09-2007 21:42
#3
Tony I used to think that bushy antennas would drive us to Ceratopogonidae (considering the small size as well). but it seems that the last segment on antennas is very swollen for Ceratopogonidae..

Posted by Juergen Peters on 10-09-2007 02:25
#4
Hello, Tony and Jorge!

Thanks! The "forked" antennae was the detail, which let me think of Ceratopogonidae, although this one looked rather different from the "normal" Ceratopogonids I know from here (like those from my links in the first post). I looked through my books, the gallery and other pics and did not find any midges, which would really fit this one...