Biological aspects of the associations of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in two saline rivers of the Elton Lake Basin, Russia

We studied species composition, density, biomass and production of larvae of the family Ceratopogonidae in two saline rivers (Volgograd region, Russia). Ceratopoponids make up an important part of macroinvertebrate community in these rivers. Average monthly production (dry weight) of ceratopogonid larvae in the rivers was 3.5–4.8 g m–2 month–1 in May and ~0.9 g m–2 month–1 in August. For the first time, feeding spectra of ceratopogonid larvae, Palpomyia schmidti Goetghebuer, 1934, was studied using fatty acid analyses. The larvae of P. schmidti appeared to selectively consume diatoms and other algae and to avoid bacteria and decomposed dead organic matter (detritus) of low nutritive quality.