The importance of emerging chironomids as a food resource for overwintering passerines in an Iberian high altitude lake

Abstract

Chironomids form an essential part of the diet of insectivorous birds that feed on emerging aquatic insects in both riparian areas (Lynch et al. 2002, Beck et al. 2013) and other aquatic habitats, providing an important trophic link between the aquatic and the terrestrial environment. High altitude lakes in mountain landscapes are relatively common and valuable habitats that provide vital resources to terrestrial fauna before freezing over in the winter. Chironomids are known to be a major component of the macroinvertebrate fauna of high altitude lakes and are perhaps a particularly important food source during cold weather conditions (Boggero et al. 2006, Fureder et al. 2006, Bouchard et al. 2006).