Midge Larva, Back, Sem
by Meckes/ottawa
Title
Midge Larva, Back, Sem
Artist
Meckes/ottawa
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Color-enhanced SEM of the back of a midge larva, showing club-shaped hairs. Presumably these serve a similar function to antennae, providing the larva with information about the direction and strength of water currents. Commonly known as net-winged midges, the Blephariceridae are in the order Diptera and suborder Nematocera, the mosquitoes. Their larvae are well adapted to life in strong currents the body is very flat and wide, and the underside is equipped with six suction cups which stabilize the larvae in very strong currents by vacuum forming to stones. The larvae feed on diatoms. The mating and oviposition of Blephariceridae takes place in the summer, with the eggs laid in strong flowing streams with very cold water, stuck near the surface of rocks. Magnification 2501 (at 15x12 cm image size).
Uploaded
May 19th, 2021
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