Biting-midges
Guides
Atrichopogon
biting midges, grass punkies
Atrichopogon is a genus of small biting midges in the family Ceratopogonidae, subfamily Forcipomyiinae. Species occur across multiple continents with documented records from the Neotropical region, Patagonia, Europe, and Asia. Some species are ectoparasites of larger insects, while others develop on aquatic vegetation or in terrestrial habitats such as rotting wood. Immature stages show habitat-specific distribution patterns: larvae of A. wirthi occur on water lettuce leaves, and larvae of European Meloehelea subgenus species inhabit rotting pine wood.
Downeshelea
Downeshelea is a genus of predaceous biting midges in the family Ceratopogonidae, tribe Ceratopogonini. The genus was established by Wirth and Grogan based on the Monohelea multilineata species group and currently comprises over 60 species worldwide, with approximately 46 species in the Neotropics. Adult females are predatory, feeding primarily on adult Chironomidae, and may contribute to biological control of pest populations in agricultural settings.
Forcipomyia macswaini
Forcipomyia macswaini is a species of biting midge in the family Ceratopogonidae, described by Wirth in 1952. The genus Forcipomyia is notable for containing species that serve as specialized pollinators, including the chocolate midges responsible for pollinating cacao trees. Members of this genus are typically minute flies, often measuring only 1-3 mm in body length. The specific epithet honors entomologist J.W. MacSwain, who made significant contributions to the study of Ceratopogonidae.
Forcipomyia pictoni
Forcipomyia pictoni is a species of biting midges in the family Ceratopogonidae, described by Macfie in 1938. Like other members of the genus Forcipomyia, it is a minute fly, typically 1–3 mm in body length. The genus includes species with diverse feeding habits: adult females of some species bite vertebrates or other insects, while others are non-biting. Several Forcipomyia species are known pollinators of cacao (Theobroma cacao), though F. pictoni's specific ecological role remains undocumented.
Forcipomyia pluvialis
Forcipomyia pluvialis is a species of biting midge in the family Ceratopogonidae, described by Malloch in 1923. The genus Forcipomyia includes species that are important pollinators of cacao trees (Theobroma cacao), though it is not confirmed whether this specific species performs this ecological function. Like other ceratopogonids, adults are minute flies typically 1–6 mm in length. The specific epithet 'pluvialis' (Latin for 'rainy') suggests an association with wet or rainy conditions, though this has not been explicitly documented for this species.
Heteromyiini
Heteromyiini is a tribe of predatory biting midges within the family Ceratopogonidae, comprising approximately 5 genera and 16 described species. Members are known to be insectivorous, feeding on other small arthropods. The tribe has been documented in Australia and New Guinea, with recent taxonomic revisions significantly expanding the known fauna. The group includes genera such as Heteromyia, Clinohelea, Neurobezzia, Neurohelea, and Pellucidomyia.
Jenkinshelea
Jenkinshelea is a genus of biting midges (family Ceratopogonidae) established by Macfie in 1934. The genus contains approximately 18 described species, placing it within the tribe Sphaeromiini of the subfamily Ceratopogoninae. Like other ceratopogonids, members are small, blood-feeding or predatory flies, though species-level biology remains poorly documented.
Johannsenomyia
Johannsenomyia is a genus of biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) established by Malloch in 1915. The genus belongs to the tribe Sphaeromiini within the subfamily Ceratopogoninae. As with other ceratopogonids, members are small, blood-sucking or predatory flies. The genus is poorly documented in public sources, with minimal observational records.
Mallochohelea
Mallochohelea is a genus of biting midges (family Ceratopogonidae) established by Wirth in 1962. The genus contains at least 40 described species, with 48 species currently recognized. Members are small, blood-feeding flies in the tribe Sphaeromiini.
Sphaeromias
Sphaeromias is a genus of biting midges (family Ceratopogonidae) established by Curtis in 1829. The genus contains at least four described species, including S. albomarginatus, S. bifidus, S. gilvus, and S. longipennis. Members of this genus are small, blood-feeding flies belonging to the tribe Sphaeromiini within the subfamily Ceratopogoninae.
Sphaeromias bifidus
Sphaeromias bifidus is a species of biting midge in the family Ceratopogonidae, described by Wirth & Grogan in 1979. It belongs to the tribe Sphaeromiini within the subfamily Ceratopogoninae. As a member of this family, it is a small, blood-feeding fly. The specific epithet 'bifidus' refers to a forked or divided structure, likely a morphological feature used in its original description.
Sphaeromiini
biting midges
Sphaeromiini is a tribe of predatory biting midges within the family Ceratopogonidae. The tribe comprises approximately 7 genera and at least 40 described species. Members are characterized as insectivorous, preying on other small insects. The Australian and New Guinea fauna has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, with significant species diversity documented in these regions.
Stenoxenini
Stenoxenini is a tribe of biting midges within the family Ceratopogonidae. These small flies are placed in the subfamily Ceratopogoninae. The tribe contains relatively few described species and is characterized by distinctive morphological features related to mouthpart structure. Members are poorly known compared to other ceratopogonid tribes, with limited biological and ecological data available.
Stilobezzia
Stilobezzia is a genus of predaceous biting midges in the family Ceratopogonidae, comprising more than 330 described species worldwide. Adult females are predators of other small insects. Immature stages develop in aquatic and semiaquatic habitats. The genus is absent from Antarctica and some islands.
Stilobezzia coquilletti
Stilobezzia coquilletti is a species of predaceous biting midge in the family Ceratopogonidae, first described by Jean-Jacques Kieffer in 1917. The species is known from Brazil, with records from Amazonas and São Paulo states. As a member of the genus Stilobezzia, it belongs to a group of ceratopogonids characterized by predatory larval and adult stages. The specific epithet honors the American entomologist Daniel William Coquillett.
Stilobezzia viridis
Stilobezzia viridis is a species of predaceous midge in the family Ceratopogonidae, first described by Goetghebuer in 1935. The species belongs to a genus of biting midges known for their predatory habits. Very little specific biological information is available for this particular species.