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A midge is any small fly, including species in several families of non-mosquito Nematoceran Diptera. Midges are found on practically every land area outside permanently arid deserts and the frigid zones. Some midges, such as many Phlebotominae and Simuliidae, are vectors of various diseases. Many others play useful roles as prey for insectivores, such as various frogs and swallows. Others are important as detritivores, and form part of various nutrient cycles. The habits of midges vary greatly from species to species, though within any particular family, midges commonly have similar ecological roles.
Sandfly is a colloquial name for any species or genus of flying, biting, blood-sucking dipteran (fly) encountered in sandy areas. In the United States, sandfly may refer to certain horse flies that are also known as "greenheads", or to members of the family Ceratopogonidae. The bites usually result in a small, intensely itchy bump or welt, the strength of which intensifies over a period of 5-7 days before dissipating. Moderate relief is achieved with varying success through the application of over the counter products such as Benadryl (ingested) or an analgesic cream such as After Bite. Outside the United States, sandfly may refer to members of the subfamily Phlebotominae within the Psychodidae. Biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) are sometimes called sandflies or no-see-ums. New Zealand sandflies are in the genus Austrosimulium, a type of black fly.
Leptoconops torrens is a species of small biting flies in the no-see-um family Ceratopogonidae. They were first mentioned in writing by Charles Henry Tyler Townsend in 1893. The name Leptoconops carteri is a junior synonym of L. torrens. They are prevalent in the southwestern and southeastern areas of the United States. In early stages of life, L. torrens flies dwell in soil, then emerge to feed and breed as fully developed adults.
Ceratopogonidae is a family of flies commonly known as no-see-ums, or biting midges, generally 1–3 millimetres in length. The family includes more than 5,000 species, distributed worldwide, apart from the Antarctic and the Arctic.
Culicoides is a genus of biting midges in the family Ceratopogonidae. There are over 1000 species in the genus, which is divided into many subgenera. Several species are known to be vectors of various diseases and parasites which can affect animals. Like Leptoconops, the genus has a long fossil record, with earliest known fossils being from Burmese amber, around 99 million years old.
Leptoconops is a midge genus in the family Ceratopogonidae. It has a mostly tropical or subtropical distribution worldwide, but some species occur as far north as Moscow region in Russia and the Yukon Territory in Canada.
Forcipomyia is a genus of biting midges in the subfamily Forcipomyiinae. Species of the subgenus Lasiohelea suck vertebrate blood. Some species are ectoparasites on larger insects. Other species in the genus are important pollinators of the cacao tree. There are at least 1,000 described species in Forcipomyia.
Atrichopogon is a genus of biting midges, small flies in the family Ceratopogonidae.
Leptoconops zherikhini is an extinct species of biting midges belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae. This species was described from fossilized remains preserved in Lower Cretaceous amber from Álava, Spain. These fossils represents the earliest known occurrence of extant genus Leptoconops.
Leptoconops longicauda is a species of biting midges belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae. This species occurs in the Wudang Mountains, Hubei province, China.
Leptoconops gravesi is an extinct species of biting midge belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae. This species was described from fossilized remains preserved in Late Cretaceous amber from Vendée, France. The piece of amber containing the holotype specimen also preserved a scelionine wasp and an earwig nymph.
Leptoconops amplificatus is an extinct species of biting midge belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae. This species was described from fossilized remains preserved in Lower Cretaceous amber from Lebanon.
Leptoconops antiquus is an extinct species of biting midges belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae. This species was described from fossilized remains preserved in Lower Cretaceous amber from Lebanon.
Leptoconops burmiticus is an extinct species of biting midges belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae. This species was described from fossilized remains preserved in Burmese amber from the Lower Cretaceous. The amber containing the fossil was mined in the Hukawng Valley, Myanmar.
Leptoconops rossi is an extinct species of biting midges belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae. This species was described from fossilized remains preserved in Burmese amber from the Lower Cretaceous. The amber containing the fossil was mined in the Hukawng Valley, Myanmar.
Leptoconops fortipalpus is a species of biting midge belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae. It occurs in the Damodar River valley, Jarkhand state, India.
Bezzia is a genus of biting midges in the family Ceratopogonidae. There are more than 310 described species in Bezzia.
Stilobezzia is a genus of predaceous midges in the family Ceratopogonidae. There are more than 330 described species in Stilobezzia.
Leptoconops kerteszi, common name Bodega black gnat, is a species of biting midges belonging to the family Ceratopogonidae. They feed on multiple species and can be found in places such as the United States, Egypt, and Tunisia.
Leptoconops myersi is a species of coastal biting midge in the genus Leptoconops and family Ceratopogonidae that is found in New Zealand.
References
- ↑ Mazumdar, Abhijit; Saha, Narayan; Chaudhuri, Prasanta (21 September 2010). "Blood sucking midges of Leptoconops (Holoconops Kieffer) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from India". Zootaxa. 2619: 49–55. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.2619.1.5.
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