1. An account of the life-history with emphasis on phenology and number of instars is presented for Belgica antarctica Jacobs, the southernmost holometabolous insect.2. Contrary to earlier reports, Belgica has four instars, in common with most other chironomids. Mean head capsule lengths varied between different populations but no overlap was found between discrete size classes of successive instars. Belgica overwinters inall four instars. 4. Relative frequency of different instars from samples taken through the 5. Emergence of adults is relatively synchronous. Belgica exhibits protandry, season indicates that a 2-year life-span is the commonest pattern. which may be established at the time of pupation.

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