Chironomid fauna of Greek Aegean islands, an essential part of the biogeographically
important Mediterranean region, is almost unexplored, with only 36
species recorded prior to the present study. It is especially true for Dodecanese
islands (6 recorded species). In 2007, chironomid larvae and exuviae were collected
in Rhodos, the largest member of the Dodecanese islands. Thirty-four taxa were
identified (8 Tanypodinae, 10 Orthocladiinae, 16 Chironominae). None of the previously
recorded taxa were found; thus all collected species proved to be new for
the fauna of Rhodos. An actualized checklist for the Chironomidae of Rhodos is
given based on the literature and results of recent investigations
