If you've been to Lake Erie within the past two or three weeks, you've likely seen thousands of these rather large flies, bigger than a typical mosquito. Taxonomically speaking, they're in the family Chironimidae, and known by the denizens of Ohio's north coast as midges or even "muffleheads". Millions and millions of these creatures have hatched from Lake Erie this June- they'll mate and die quickly. This one is a male, identifiable by its brush-like antennae.
This one, without the brush like antennae, I presume is a female.
These insects don't bite or spread disease, but why they're increasing is debated. Some researchers believe that the midges are a sign of polluted low oxygen zones, while other researchers believe that they indicate a cleaner lake. They also helped the Cleveland Indians in a fall playoff series against the New York Yankees in 2007. They swarmed pitcher Joba Chamberlain as he was on the mound, rattling him to the point where he could not recover.
Tom
This is my contribution to this week's Camera Critters meme, hosted by Misty Dawn.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Muffleheads, Midges, or Chironomids- Your Choice
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Wonderful close-ups and find this little insect very interesting. Great history on the baseball game.
ReplyDeleteInteresting critters. Sounds like they are helpful too. Good closeup shots.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know that there are some non-biting midges! When we visited the Isle of Skye last year the midges were horror film bad, and they DID bite. Still, they are important for the food chain so I'll happily put up with them. Mosquitos? Now they are another thing!
ReplyDeleteTom: Even though they don't bite they are not fun having them crawl on you.
ReplyDeleteWho knew a buzzing insect could be so helpful... unfortunately, the mosquitoes that are in full swing here are not so nice... I wish the two million frogs out in the preserve behind the house would eat some... their music is great but... mosquito eating is more pragmatic.
ReplyDeleteI just love the fuzzy antenna of the male midge. Nice shot capturing it. We have midges, but not in the swarms y'all have. Those swarms could get to be a real nuisance.
ReplyDeletewow very interesting bug!I would like to play with this little "fellow"but I guess mommy will not allowed me ! :-)
ReplyDeletepurrs and love
Luna
Thanks Everyone.
ReplyDeleteI changed this post a bit- Some experts feel that the midges are a sign of low oxygen waters in Lake Erie, while others have attributed their numbers to a healthy lake. Links have been added. Thanks to Steven, who anonymously and rather rudely pointed this out to me.
Tom
Up close and personal. Wonderful photography. I do think we should keep an eye on our wildlife, they are a marker for any environmental change.
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