Corethrellidae - Frog-biting Midges

This widespread family of nemotocerous flies has not often been represented in collections, but the discovery of female blood-feeding blood-feeding on frogs has greatly improved our knowledge. Previously grouped with the Culicidae and then Chaoboridae, these midges have since 1986 been recogonized as a distinct family (Edwards 1932, Cook 1965, Wood and Borkent 1986, 1989).

Larvae are found along the margins of aquatic habitats. Because female adults are attracted to the call of male frogs and feed on their blood, species are restricted to areas where there are frogs. There are no vouchered specimens of Corethrella from Michigan. Borkent authoritative work (2004: 174) on Corethrella indicates two regional references, one from Wisconsin (Dickinson 1944) and another from Michigan (Rao and Rai 1990). Unfortunately, voucher specimens are not available, but if these are good records, based on existing distributions, these specimens may be either C. brakeleyi or C. condita.

Corethrella Coquillett, 1902

Corethrella (Corethrella) brakeleyi Coquillett, 1902
Corethrella (Corethrella) condita Borkent, 2004

Page created: December 21, 2010 - Last updated: June 14, 2011 (EB)