10 new species identified by 20 scientists in 4 days

/ Pupal skins floating at water surface

Chironomids in Icelandic freshwaters

The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute hosted recently a course on sampling and identifying chironomid pupal skins (insects). Participants were from various institutes in Iceland that are studying freshwater ecosystems. When an adult chironomid fly (mýfluga) hatches from the pupae, it leaves the pupal skin on the water surface. By sampling and identifying these skins we can get an important information on the ecological status of that water body, we can also obtain information on the biological diversity etc. So, by using these pupal skins gives us a valuable tool for monitoring freshwater ecosystems. This approach is much more efficient and less time consuming than previous methods that have been used.

The course was led by two British scientists that have been applying this approach in studying freshwater ecology in the UK and elsewhere in the world.

As 20 freshwater scientists, from Iceland, sat for 4 days, learning how to identify chironomid pupal skins, they managed to find 10 new species that previously had not been documented in Iceland. Before last week, there were around 90 species of chironomids (rykmý) that had been reported in Iceland. Now they are 100.

Lifecycle of chironomids

The course was funded by BHM Starfsþróunarsetur háskólamanna and EU LIFE ICEWATER.

Participants in a course on sampling and identifying chironomid pupal skins that was hosted by Marine and Freshwater Research Institute in March 2025