midge, name for any of numerous minute, fragile flies in several
families. The family Chironomidae consists of about 2,000
species, most of which are widely distributed. The herbivorous
larvae are found in all freshwaters; the larvae of some species
live in saltwater. Midge larvae are an important source of food
for larger aquatic insects and fish. The larvae of some species
of the genus Chironomus, which are called freshwater bloodworms,
are unusual in that they contain the protein hemoglobin. The
pupae are active and aquatic. The adults, which look like
slender mosquitoes, are often seen swarming over or near water,
and large courting and mating swarms may contain millions of
insects. The larvae and pupae of the net-wing midges, family
Blepharoceridae, live in fast-flowing freshwater; they attach to
rocks by suction disks and feed mainly on algae. The biting
midges belong to the genus Culicoides of the family
Ceratopogonidae; they are the smallest of the bloodsucking
insects and are common pests in the NE U