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--- Traps ---
Identification --- Key
--- ReferencesHOME
--- Traps ---
Identification --- Key
--- References
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Midges
are very small biting flies. Their classification is:
Order Diptera (true flies, with two wings)
Family Ceratopogonidae
Genus Culicoides
There are 47 different species of Culicoides in Britain (Boorman, 1986; modified by Chandler, personal communication). Some species cause a great deal of misery and irritation to humans and animals because the female bites mammals (and in some species, birds) to get a blood meal to develop her eggs.
The features useful for identification of the different species are mainly the markings on the wings, the form of the male genitalia and the female palps and distribution of sense organs on her antennae. The segments are numbered from 3 to 15, with the third segment being the largest, next to the eyes.