The Chironomidae popularly are called "non-biting midges" to distinguish them from their biting relatives. Although the impact of these flies excludes human-feeding and disease transmission, chironomids are still the subject of much study.

This book presents current research on topics such as the use of chironomid larvae in pollution monitoring; austral chironomid patterns; biology and control; chironomid communities and auto-ecology; morphology and systematics of chironomids. The value of chironomids and other aquatic biota in the monitoring of waterway health is emphasised with reviews from both the northern and southern hemispheres.