Bloodworm (Chironomid Larva)

Found in soft sediment at the bottom of lakes, ponds, and streams, often in water with low oxygen levels.

Detritivores; they consume organic debris, algae, and microscopic organisms in the sediment.

They live in silken tubes in the mud. Their red color comes from hemoglobin, which allows them to survive in very low-oxygen environments. They undergo complete metamorphosis to become non-biting midges.

Benefits: They are a primary food source for fish and birds and help recycle nutrients in aquatic ecosystems. Risks: They are harmless to humans and do not bite, though mass hatchings of adults can be a nuisance.