The effects of Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on the fourth instar larvae of Chironomus riparius were tested in the laboratory. Employing a waterreplacement exposure setup, chironomids were subjected to various concentrations. In the most treatments mortality reached a statistically significant difference from the control conditions. As DEHP concentrations were increased, the rates of emerged adults decreased. Sex ratio was unaffected with little deviation from a 1:1 relationship (except in 1 and $30mu{g};L^{-1})$. The developmental stages was delayed at low concentration (0.3 and $1mu{g};L^{-1})$. Generally the emergent period was different between males and females, and the first emergent day of males was faster than females. The body shape of female adults was larger than males. Differences between males and females were found in body volume, body length and body width. In addition, the body volume showed the significant difference between controls and treatments, and those especially well observed females.