European Workshop on Chironomidae Identification Methodology, Bratislava, Slovakia

The European Workshop on Chironomidae Identification Methodology (EWCIM) took place in Bratislava, Slovakia, from January 27th to 31st, 2025, marking the 4th international workshop dedicated to the identification methodology, procedures, and challenges related to insect larvae from the Diptera family Chironomidae. Organised by the Water Research Institute, Bratislava, and the Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, the included introductory lectures on the ecology and morphology of chironomid larvae, demonstrations, and practical sessions for participants with different levels of knowledge.

The workshop focused on common subfamilies like Tanypodinae, Diamesinae, Orthocladiinae, and Chironominae and covered essential identification techniques, such as larvae handling, slide preparation methods, and recognising morphological characteristics. Identification of chironomid larvae is important as they are excellent indicators of water quality and play an essential role in food webs, energy flow and ecosystem functioning.

Participants also had the opportunity to get to know ZooKeys, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal in zoology, taxonomy, and biodiversity, as well as Natural History Collections and Museomics, a new diamond-open-access journal that aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of natural history and its impact on society.