The data of hygienic condition of some Saratov region reservoirs are presented: the role ofChironomidae (Diptera) larvae in the open reservoirs qualitative estimation in the condition of anthropogenic pollution is pointed out The available data on sensitivity ofChironomidae to different types of compounds stress on the great opportunities of their practical use in qualitative and quantitative biotesting of various pollutions.
E.S. Sergeeva, Yu.Yu. Eliseev COMPLEX SANITARY-PROPHILACTIC ESTIMATION OF RIVERS FOR DRINKING WATER USE // Saratov Journal of Medical Scientific Research, Vol. 4, Issue 4, 2008, pp. 18-21

The paper includes data on species composition of chironomid larvae which were encountered in the mantle cavity of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) within 7 waterbodies in the Republic of Belarus. All were found to be free-living species commonly present in periphyton and/or benthos. A long-term study of the seasonal dynamics of these larvae in Dreissena did not reveal any typical pattern. Our data suppose that chironomids do not have an obligate association with zebra mussels and possibly enter their mantle cavity inadvertently.
International Review of Hydrobiology (2005) Volume 90, Issue 1: 42–50