Let’s pick up where we left off yesterday - basically midges follow the same life cycle that we’re all used to thinking about - larva, pupa, and adults.

Very slender, worm-like larva can be any color, but are most often olive, tan, cream, and black, though “bloodworms” are bottom burrowing, red midge larvae.  

The pupa progresses through a series of changes and matures, developing gills and more mature segmentation.   The mature pupa then inflates with CO2 and rises to the surface, where it faces what is probably it’s biggest challenge.

The biggest challenge of a mature midge pupa is breaking the surface tension of it’s watery home - it can be a serious barrier as midges are for the most part quite small.

This water surface tension barrier typically keeps midges suspended just below the surface for long periods, hence Mr. Trout feeds on these suspended midges quite easily.  Suspended midges are also often concentrated in back eddies and seams, just like heavy spinner falls. 

Another unique feature of emerging midges is their very rapid transition to flight after they leave the pupal shuck, some say in 5 seconds or so.

The midge larva picture is from the master - Jason over at Troutnut.com.

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