Biting Midge (No-See-Um) vs Common Thick-headed Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Biting Midge (No-See-Um) | Common Thick-headed Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Culicoides imicola | Sicus ferrugineus |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae | Conopidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 8-12 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Africa, Middle East, southern Europe, Asia | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Biting Midge (No-See-Um)
A tiny biting midge that is the primary Old World vector of bluetongue virus and African horse sickness virus. It breeds in moist, organically enriched soil and is crepuscular, biting at dawn and dusk. Its northward spread into Europe has introduced bluetongue to previously unaffected areas.
Did You Know?
Climate change has allowed this midge to expand northward into Europe, bringing bluetongue disease to countries that had never experienced it.
Common Thick-headed Fly
A distinctive orange-brown fly with a disproportionately large, inflated head and a curved abdomen. It perches conspicuously on flowers waiting to intercept passing bumblebees.
Did You Know?
The parasitized bumblebee eventually dies and buries itself in the ground, where the fly larva pupates inside the bee.