Bloodworm (Chironomid Larva)

Stagnant or slow-moving freshwater, mud, and occasionally found in household pipes or damp indoor areas.

Organic debris, algae, and microscopic organisms found in sediment.

They are aquatic larvae that use hemoglobin to survive in low-oxygen environments (giving them their red color); they often wiggle in a characteristic figure-eight motion.

Generally harmless to humans and do not bite or sting. They are beneficial to ecosystems as a vital food source for fish and birds, and they help decompose organic matter.