The colonization of California rice paddies by chironomid midges.
Abstract
Temporal changes in the population structure of chironomid species colonising rice-fields in California (where the larvae damage the germinating seeds and young seedlings) were determined in 1974-75 from replicated plots flooded at 2 different times in each of 2 different localities. Chironomid larvae present comprised those of new species of Paratanytarsus, Tanytarsus and Cladotanytarsus, Cricotopus sylvestris (F.), C. bicinctus (Mg.), Chironomus spp., Paralauterborniella spp. and Procladius spp. Most samples were characterised by 1-3 dominant species. Previously reported chironomids of economic importance (Cricotopus, Paralauterborniella and Paratanytarsus) were usually recorded in intermediate abundance, but the new species of Paratanytarsus assumed dominant status in one locality in 1974. The other locality supported greater numbers of larvae although species richness was similar in both localities. Diversity and rank correlation patterns were usually similar between plots flooded at different times in the same locality. Dissimilar abundance-rank patterns existed between localities at comparable sampling intervals.