Chironomid deformities as indicators of pollution from a synthetic, coal‐derived oil

Abstract

SUMMARY. Larval Chironomus decorus (Diptera: Chironomidae), taken from experimental ponds to which a coal liquid had been added, were found to have deformities of the mentum. Aberrations of the medial portion of the mentum were significantly dose‐related. Occurrence of such deformities appeared to be a less sensitive measure of pollution by the coal liquid than did previously reported changes in abundance, biomass, number of taxa, and species diversity of benthic insects.