Acute Toxicity Test with Chironomids

Test organism

• Harlequin Fly (Chironomus riparius)

Test principle

• This test investigates the effect of chemicals on the mortality of chironomid larvae. The test is performed during the water stage.
• The animals (1st larval stage) are exposed to the samples for a period of 1 to 2 days (OECD, 2011).

Analysed parameters

• Mortality

Test duration

• 1 to 2 days

Guidelines and literature

• Weltje L, Rufli H, Heimbach F, Wheeler J, Vervliet-Scheebaum M, Hamer M (2010). The chironomid acute toxicity test: Development of a new test system. Integr. Environ. Assess. Manag. 6:301-307.
• OECD (2011). Guideline for Testing of Chemicals 235. Chironomus sp., Acute Immobilisation Test.