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Rheotanytarsus Midge Larva Pictures



 This peculiar midge lived in a case tightly fixed to a rock, with several others of its kind. The case seems to be made of tiny grains of sand. I'm not sure what the function is for the little lines sticking out the front, because they aren't legs.

This midge was collected from Cayuta Creek on April 14th, 2007 and added to Troutnut.com on April 22nd, 2007.

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I don't think we'll need to be imitating this species anytime soon, but it's still a neat insect. Rheotanytarsus Midge Larva from Cayuta Creek in New York
I don't think we'll need to be imitating this species anytime soon, but it's still a neat insect.
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon EOS 20D
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Here's what lived inside. Rheotanytarsus Midge Larva from Cayuta Creek in New York
Here's what lived inside.
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon EOS 20D
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Here's a natural view of this specimen still attached to its rock quite tightly. You can faintly see the "corners" on the top of the case, which is not a smooth curve, but is somewhat trapezoidal in cross-section. Rheotanytarsus Midge Larva from Cayuta Creek in New York
Here's a natural view of this specimen still attached to its rock quite tightly. You can faintly see the "corners" on the top of the case, which is not a smooth curve, but is somewhat trapezoidal in cross-section.
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon EOS 20D
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Rheotanytarsus Midge Larva from Cayuta Creek in New York
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon EOS 20D
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A millimeter ruler overlaid by the case. Rheotanytarsus Midge Larva from Cayuta Creek in New York
A millimeter ruler overlaid by the case.
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon EOS 20D
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I removed the case from its rock to expose this, the underside. Rheotanytarsus Midge Larva from Cayuta Creek in New York
I removed the case from its rock to expose this, the underside.
AuthorTroutnut
CameraCanon EOS 20D

Recent Discussions of this Larva

lines on front 1 Reply »
Posted by Mike28 on Mar 27, 2014
Last reply on Mar 28, 2014 by Entoman
I have a small tank with some of these on the rocks and noticed the midges coming out and cleaning the lines so I talked to my stream ecology professor and he told me I have rheotanytarsus and along those lines there are small lines of silk that they use to collect food just in case anyone was still wondering.
ReplyMidge 3 Replies »
Posted by DMM on Apr 22, 2007
Last reply on Apr 23, 2007 by Troutnut
I believe this is Rheotanytarsus
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