Chironomids also favour fermented products: an observation of chironomids dwelling in rotten apples

Abstract

Here we bring evidence of larvae of three chironomid taxa dwelling in fallen apples in an urban pond. Larvae of Endochironomus tendens (also a pupa), Cricotopus cf. sylvestris and Polypedilum sp. were found mining in more than 80% of investigated rotten apples floating on a water surface. Our findings indicate that fallen fruits may play an important food source for some aquatic chironomids not only in the tropics but also in the temperate zone. Such habitat may also serve as shelter from fish predators.