Phenology and life history of Belgica antarctica, an Antarctic midge (Diptera: Chironomidae)

• Published in: Ecological Entomology
• Main Authors: SUGG, PATRICK, EDWARDS, JOHN S., BAUST, JOHN
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1983
• Subjects: Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctic midge; Antarctica; Belgica antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1983.tb00487.x; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1365-2311.1983.tb00487.x; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1983.tb00487.x/fullpdf

ABSTRACT. An account of the life‐history with emphasis on phenology and number of instars is presented for Belgica antarctica Jacobs, the southernmost holometabolous insect. Contrary to earlier reports, Belgica has four instars, in common with most other chironomids. Mean head capsule lengths varied between different populations but no overlap was found between discrete size classes of successive instars. Belgica overwinters in all four instars. Relative frequency of different instars from samples taken through the season indicates that a 2‐year life‐span is the commonest pattern. Emergence of adults is relatively synchronous. Belgica exhibits protandry, which may be established at the time of pupation.