Family: Chironomidae, Midges view all from this family

Description The Common Midge is a member of the family Chironomidae. A large and abundant group of flies, midges are very similar to mosquitoes and are often mistaken for them. They are 1/16-3/8" (1-10 mm) long, and seem more delicate than mosquitoes. Unlike mosquitoes, they do not bite and have no long proboscis. When at rest, they hold their wings out to the side, rather than folding them neatly over the back. The antennae, especially the males', are usually more feathery than those of mosquitoes, and the wings have no delicate scales along the wing veins. Adults are numerous around water, where most species congregate in large and conspicuous swarms during the mating season. The larvae live in water or wet soil and are scavengers or predators. In some species the larvae have red hemoglobin in their body fluids and thus are called "bloodworms."