Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

SWARMING AND MATING BEHAVIOR OF FRESHWATER CHIRONOMUS CIRCUMDATUS UNDER LAB CONDITION

D. Kumar and C. Veerabahu

Abstract

It can be stated that Chironomus circumdatus moves from the face to back position and face to face position and finally to the end to end position. These three successive positions may firstly be considered as an adaptation to copulation on a substratum (face to back). Secondly they reveal a relationship with other flying Chironomids (face to face) (see Hashimoto 1962). Thirdly they allow a long lasting copulation during the sliding flight when one partner is dragged by the other (end to end).