A study on Chironomid larvae (Insecta- Diptera) of Golpayegan River (Isfahan-Iran) at generic level

Abstract

Little is known about Chironomidae in Iran. This article is the second one on chironomid larval identification in running waters of Iran. Samples were collected from five sites in the Golpayegan River, (Isfahan-Iran), about 55 km along the river course. The sampling was done four times: February and November 2003, May and July 2004. Samples were hand sorted in the laboratory and the larvae identified at generic level, using available identification keys. Thirty five genera were identified in four subfamilies, including Chironominae (15 genera), Orthocladinae (13 genera), Tanypodinae (5 genera) and Diamesinae (2 genera). 17 genera of these are reported from the Golpayegan River for the first time.