Production of the chironomid Procladius bellus in an annual drawdown reservoir

SUMMARY. 1. In Laurel Creek Reservoir. Ontario, a small, eutrophic annual drawdown reservoir, some individuals of the chironomid Procladius bellus survive the winter drawdown. 2. With refilling of the reservoir in spring, colonization by P. bellus is continuous and there were three generations a year. 3. Production estimated by the size‐frequency method was 117.12 kg (175 mg m−2) in 1980 and 70.14 kg (105 mg m‐2) in 1981. Annual P:B was about 13 in both years. 4. Substantial slation‐to‐station variations in production occurred and overall production was lower than in shallow habitats.