Midge

Midge is a name given to a number of species of, often biting, fly in the suborder Nematocera. The name does not refer to a particular group of flies but is inconsistently applied to many differen species. As a result its use is ambiguous and the name is often applied to any small fly.

Flies within the family Ceratopogonidae are known as the biting-midges and it is often insects in this family that are most familiar to people. These are the insects that bite humans and the bites result is itchy swellings. One of the most infamous species in this family is the Highland midge, Culicoides impunctatus. Highland midges gather in large numbers and are considered a pest due to their biting activities.

A photograph of the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis
Photograph by Scott Bauer: Photograph from Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture.

Other names for (or types of) Midge include:

• No-see-ums
• Punkies

Related terms

• Diptera
• Gnat
• Lek

Related pages on this web site

• True flies - Order Diptera

See other words beginning with M