Species 4w. Chironomus species "Florida" of Epler (2001)

Only larvae are described for this species.  It is characterised by a premandible with 5 teeth.

From Epler 2001

Fourth instar larva: essentially a melanotus-type, about 12 mm long, ventral tubules long, posterolateral tubules long, as long as the segment width (Bolton 2012).
Mentum looks more like that of some Polypedilum, rather than Chironomus, with simple central tooth and 14 lateral teeth, although it seems likely that this can be interpreted that the c2 teeth are relatively large and quite separate from the c1 tooth, and the first laterals are hardly higher than the other teeth (Epler, in Martin & Epler 2024).  The Pecten epipharyngis has about 23 blunt teeth.
However, other species with a similar premandible have also been described, including C. phytophilus Correia & Trivinho and C. oliveiri Correia & Trivinho from Brazil (although they are thummi-type larvae and their mentum is different).

An early instar larva appears to have only 4 teeth (Epler in Martin & Epler 2024).

Inhabits burrows in the water lily Nuphar made by the aquatic moth Bellura (Pyralidae).  In NE Ohio reported from a wetland stream and a natural lake (Bolton 2012).  Also will populate bird baths.

Cytology: not known.

Reyes-Maidonado et al. (2021) describe the rearing of the species in the laboratory and its very short life cycle.

Found: Florida - peninsular (south) Florida.
            Ohio - NE Ohio.
            Puerto Rico - San Juan (18.401°N, -66.052°W); Quebrada San Antón, Carolina (18.403°N, -66.001°W); Río Bauta, Morovis.
            (18.561°N, -66.458°W) and Quebrada Buruquena, Río Grande (18.303°N, -65.833°W) (all Reyes-Maidonado et al. (2021).