Species 4w. Chironomus species "Florida" of Epler (2001) = C. vitellinus Freeman 1964

Adult:  Known details are consistent with those of Chironomus vitellinus.

Pupa:  Known but not yet described

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 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.  If the mentum is worn, as the center teeth suggest, this could be a specimen of C. vitellinus Freeman 1961, which is very widely distributed.
Premandible with 5 or more teeth (figure shows 5).
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).

Inhabits burrows in 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 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).