Role of Chironomus plumosus (Diptera, Chironomidae) Population in the Central Zone of the Shallow Lake Trasimeno (Italy)

Adult swarms of non-biting pestiferous midges (Chironomidae: Diptera), primarily Chironomus plumosus, prevail over and around Lake Trasimeno (Italy) during the summer season. The current field survey (2018–2021, 33 sampling occasions) was carried out in central area lake. It revealed a macrobenthic community consisting Chironomidae (40.72%) Oligochaeta (59.23%). plumosus dominant chironomid species (98.84%). A previous (2000–2002, 11 had highlighted similar community, although C. lower density, comprising maximum 295.0 ind. m−2. This density five times than densities 2018–2021. 58 conducted littoral zone much greater biodiversity, with abundance only 24.35% among all chironomids. showed an average (88.1 m−2) its (467.9 (2018–2021). Therefore, lake, constituting about 90% total surface area, is main region for origin adults and, consequently, months, it primary source annoying that affect residents tourists lake vicinity.