Effects of Selected Non-predators on the Chironomid Larvae (Diptera)

The present observation exhibits outcome of interactions between the chironomid larvae and members of two non-predator snail species and tadpoles that share the same space resource. In species ensembles of aquatic communities, the detritivores like midge larvae, tadpoles and snails exploit detritus as a resource. Movements of the snails and the tadpoles over larval abode cause the destruction of tubes. Rapid reconstruction of tubes is essential to avoid predation and development of midge larvae. The alteration in tube numbers and the decrease in tube length of midge larvae may be viewed as a result of indirect interactions with non-predator organisms. The direct effects of non?predator organisms on the larvae are said to be due to competition for resource utilization and their indirect effects appear to be detrimental as they make susceptible to the larvae by destroying their tubes. This may result in delayed development and their vulnerability to the predators in nature. So community structure is altered by indirect effects, where one or more species can indirectly change the abundance of other species.