With the aim of study the Chironomidae fauna and the anothers aquatic insects of São Mamede - SM dam (06º 55' S e 37º 06' W) and São Gonçalo - SG dam (06º 50' S e 38º 19' W), from paraiban semi-arid, qualitatives samples were realized in August and Dezember/1995 (dry period) and July/96 (after the maximum of rain). The insect fauna was sampled randomly, next to the aquatic vegetation, with one hand net of 0,50 mm mesh size. Overall 15 taxa were collected, all of Chironomus gr. decorus was the dominat species of Chironomidae and frenquent in the two dams, which contributed with one maximum abundance of 81.82% in SG (Dezember/1995). In July/1996 we have also observed the occurrence of Goeldichironomus gr. pictus (1.45% in SG), Aedokritus sp. (44.20% in SG and 0.89% in SM), Fissimentum sp. (5.07% in SG) and Asheum sp. (45.33% in SM). One major abundance of aquatic insects in July/96 it may be related with the lowest values of electric conductivity, alkalinity and hardness, and one highest water level in dams. Then in August and Dezember/95, mainly in SM, was registered high values of electric conductivity, alkalinity, hardness and sulphate, and the lowest abundance of aquatic insects. However, due to environmental factors result in effects at organism, population and community level.
Aquatic insects; Chironomidae; Chironomus gr. decorus; semi-arid
