Biting Midge (No-See-Um) vs High-altitude Midge
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Biting Midge (No-See-Um) | High-altitude Midge |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Culicoides imicola | Diamesa latitarsis |
| Order | Diptera | Diptera |
| Family | Ceratopogonidae | Chironomidae |
| Size | 1-3 mm | 2-4 mm body length |
| Habitat | Underground | Mountains |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Africa, Middle East, southern Europe, Asia | Alps, Carpathians, Scandinavia |
| 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.
High-altitude Midge
A small, dark midge whose larvae inhabit the coldest alpine streams. It has unusually broad tarsi adapted for walking on wet rocks.
Did You Know?
Its broad feet allow it to grip wet rocks in fast-flowing glacial streams.