Cricotopus sylvestris formerly Cricotopus silvestris, is a species of midge in the family Chironomidae. It is found in Asia, Europe, The United Kingdom, and North America.
It is believed that the complete development of this species from larvae to adult is temperature dependent. In laboratory conditions, larvae completed development in 10 days at 22ð and 29 ðC. When temperatures were at 15ð, it took 28 days. The production to biomass (P/B) ratio for this species has one of the highest values reported for chironomids. Midge larvae are often eaten by other invertebrates, such as damselfly naiads/Nymph (biology), and fish. In North America, it is noted that this species is a natural enemy of Berosus ingeminatus and Ischnura verticalis
In the U.K, this species is considered to be native but with a sporadic range.