Insects: Native Species
Scientific name: Chironomus hawaiiensis
Common name(s): Hawaiian midge
Status: Endemic
Habitat: Kalo lo‘i , wetlands, reservoirs, ponds and ditches
Preferred Area of Stream: Near stream mouths and found anywhere except in areas of flowing water.
Range in Hawai‘i: All main Hawaiian Islands
Diet: Herbivorous, feeds on algae and decaying vegetation .
Predators: Predatory insects such as larval and adult damselflies and dragonflies, native and introduced fish.
Fact: This species is one of the favorite foods of dragonflies in Hawai‘i and are attracted to lights at night in large numbers. Although they can be confused with mosquitoes they do not bite. Because the Hawaiian midge does not live in flowing water this species is one of the few native aquatic insect species that can tolerate disturbed land conditions. An incredible hardy species, it has been found from wetlands at the ocean to over 4000 ft elevation.
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