Unexpected contamination of chironomid larvae into tap water

Abstract

The chironomid larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) were found from a tap water in Gunma Prefecture in May, 2003. They were identified as the larvae of Cricotopus yoshimurai Tokunaga and Polypedilum sp. These larvae or adults of the same species were also collected in the water purification plant, the source of the tap water. It suggested that the larvae which live in the water purification plant moved to the tap. This is a case report of a contamination of the chironomid larvae in the tap water, connected with the water purification plant.