No-see-ums
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Ceratopogonidae
biting midges, no-see-ums, sand flies, punkies, midgies
Ceratopogonidae is a family of minute flies in the order Diptera, commonly known as biting midges, no-see-ums, or punkies. Adults range from 1–6 mm in length, with most species between 1–3 mm. The family contains over 5,000 described species distributed worldwide except Antarctica and the Arctic. While many species feed on the blood of vertebrates including humans and livestock, the majority feed on the hemolymph of other insects. Several species serve as important pollinators of tropical crops, notably cacao.
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.
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.
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.
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.