-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Flies Order (Diptera)

-Nematoceran Flies (Suborder Nematocera)​

-Mosquitoes and Midges (Infraorder Culicomorpha)

-Superfamily Chironomoidea

-Non-biting Midges (Family Chironomidae)

-Subfamily Chironominae

-Tribe Chironomini

-Genus Chironomus

Non-biting midges of the genus Chironomus are delicate, mosquito-like flies in the family Chironomidae that are widespread in freshwater environments around the world. Although they resemble mosquitoes in shape—with slender bodies, long legs, and narrow wings—they do not bite or feed on blood. Adult Chironomus are typically gray, brown, or black, and males are easily recognized by their feathery (plumose) antennae, which they use to detect the wingbeat frequencies of females. These midges are often most noticeable when they gather in large swarms above lakes, ponds, or rivers, especially during calm evenings. The larvae are commonly referred to as “blood worms” due to their vivid red colour.