Although these organisms are frequently the numerically dominant insects in aquatic habitats and have been used extensively in environmental assessment, the time-intensive and difficult nature of collecting and identifying midges has deterred most aquatic ecologists from examining the importance of this group in aquatic systems. My previous research has examined the role of chironomids in streams by assessing their importance in energy flow. Thus, this group can be an energetically important food source for other organisms in stream ecosystems. One of my interests for future research is to examine the actual utilization of chironomids as a food resource by fish and other aquatic predators. In addition to my basic research interests, I also am interested in more applied areas such as the use of aquatic insects in environmental assessment.
Aquatic insects can be useful indicators of environmental quality.
Given their importance in energy flow in both streams and lakes, the response of these organisms to natural and anthropogenic disturbances can have strong implications for ecosystem structure and function. Berg, M.B., L.C. Ferrington, Jr., and B.L. Hayford, eds. Biology, ecology and natural history of Chironomidae. Berg, M.B., L.C. Ferrington, Jr., and B.L. Hayford, eds. Taxonomy and systematics of Chironomidae.