| Chironomidae Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
| |
| Male Chironomus plumosus | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Suborder: | Nematocera |
| Infraorder: | Culicomorpha |
| Superfamily: | Chironomoidea |
| Family: | Chironomidae Newman, 1834[1] |
| Subfamilies | |
|
See text | |
The Chironomidae (informally known as chironomids, nonbiting midges, or lake flies) comprise a family of nematoceran flies with a global distribution. They are closely related to the Ceratopogonidae, Simuliidae, and Thaumaleidae. Many species superficially resemble mosquitoes, but they lack the wing scales and elongated mouthparts of the Culicidae.
The name Chironomidae stems from the Ancient Greek word kheironómos, "a pantomimist".
- ^ Sabrosky, C.W. (1999). "Family-Group Names in Diptera & Bibliograpgy" (PDF). Myia. 10: 1–360. (page 85)