Biting midge larvae
Ceratopogonidae · Aquatic life
Whole animal · Photo: Frank Ashwood / CC BY
Also called No see ums, Punkies, Sand flies, Ceratopogonids
How to identify Biting midge larvae
- Very slender, smooth, white to tan larvae about 1/8 to 1/2 inch
- Small dark head; no prolegs at either end
- Swim with an eel like, side to side wiggle
- Adults are tiny gnats, smaller than a pinhead, that bite people and animals
Similar species
Midge larvae (bloodworms) are thicker and have small prolegs at both ends. Aquatic worms have no head capsule.
Profile
| Season | Larvae present most of the year; biting adults are worst from late spring through summer, mostly at dusk. |
|---|---|
| Starts | Adults emerge as water and mud warm in late spring |
| Depth | Shallow edges and wet mud |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Winged adults fly |
| Habitat | Muddy shorelines, marsh edges, wet soil, plant debris and shallow bottoms of ponds and lagoons. |
Why it matters in a lake
Adults deliver itchy bites and some spread livestock diseases such as bluetongue. Larvae are harmless food for fish and other insects.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Common
- Oregon: Common
- Wyoming: Common
Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Diptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae |
| Scientific name | Ceratopogonidae |
Midge larvae (bloodworms)
Mosquito larvae
Dragonfly nymphs
Damselfly nymphs
Water boatmen
Backswimmers
Predaceous diving beetles
Water striders
Mayfly nymphs
Caddisfly larvaeNeed a hand?
Found it in your lake?
Send us a photo and we will identify it and tell you what it means for your lake.
Idaho / Wyoming (208) 501-4531Oregon (541) 280-0596