Non-biting midge (family Chironomidae) larva, darkfield and polarised light micrograph. The Chironomidae, are a family of non-biting midges, in the order Diptera. Their larvae are abundant in all freshwater habitats and are prominent bottom feeders. The larvae, pupae and imagoes of Chironomidae are important food items in the diets of fish whilst the imagoes are an important food for birds such as swallows and martins. Chironomidae are amongst the most ubiquitous of insects, found the world over. Chironomidae have a life cycle consisting of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and imago. Magnification: x30 when printed with the longest axis at 10 centimetres long.