Steps towards a more efficient use of chironomids as bioindicators for freshwater bioassessment: Exploiting eDNA and other genetic tools

•We present a synthesis of improving bioindication using chironomids.•Morphological approaches are needed to accurately delimit taxa.•Molecular biological approaches can help biomonitoring using chironomids.•Environmental DNA can inform on the diversity and distribution of chironomids.•Expression analysis can be used to detect non-lethal stressors.