Phenotypic Plasticity and Adaptation in a Holometabolous Insect: The Chironomid Midge

Figure 3

Size frequency distribution in six species of chironomid midge, in both male mating swarms and in vegetation under the swarm; α,β, and γ modes are indicated. Size classes are at intervals of 0.1 mm, and those containing the mean wing length are shaded. Average size in swarms for each species is as follows: (a) Ablabesmyia monilis, 2.97 mm; (b) Limnochironomus nervosus, 3.97 mm; (c) Limnochironomus pulsus, 3.49 mm; (d) Camptochironomus tentans, 6.39 mm; (e) Psectrocladius barbimanus, 3.02 mm; (f) Paragastiella orphila, 2.99 mm. 𝑛 = number of flies measured, after McLachlan and Neems [23].

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)