Adults emerge in large plumes and can form mating swarms in the evening that can be readily seen by residents living near the lake. They also build "horseshoe" shaped tubes around their bodies and circulate water through these tubes. Larvae live in the mud, so they filter feed on organic debris on the lake bottom. Larvae, commonly called "Bloodworms", are usually reddish in color as a result of hemoglobin in the lymph system. "Rice Flies" : There are several species, but the most common is Chironomus plumosus: It is the largest midge in North America and is common around Clear Lake in the spring and summer.Historically, they emerged in large numbers off of Clear Lake, creating a nuisance for local residents. During the day they stay in the sediment and at night they move to the surface. There are 4 larval stages (instars) and 4th instar larvae migrate up and down in the water column. These gnats are also called "Phantom Midges", because the larvae are transparent making them very difficult to see. They are much smaller than mosquitoes and other midges of Clear Lake and can pass through large window screens. Clear Lake Gnats : Clear Lake gnat ( Chaoborus astictopus) adults have reduced mouthparts and are cannot bite.In fact, the Clear Lake Gnat ( Chaoborus astictopus) or Phantom Midge, is native to Clear Lake and was a major pest concern due to its sheer abundance in the 1940s-1970s. Here in Lake County our primary source for midges is Clear Lake.
Like mosquitoes, midges can survive in polluted, stagnant water.
This is because midges look similar to mosquitoes and their immature stages share many of the same water sources. These pestiferous but harmless insects are often confused with mosquitoes. Chironomid midges (non-biting flies in the family Chironomidae) are the most common midges encountered in Lake County. Midges, aka "gnats" or "rice flies", are common names that generally define any number of small, non-biting flies with two wings.
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