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The word "midge" does not encapsulate a well-defined taxonomic group. 'Midges' collectively are diverse, small, two-winged flies, comprising several families of Nematoceran Diptera.
These families include:^[1]

★ Blephariceridae, or net-winged midges

★ Cecidomyiidae, or gall midges

★ Ceratopogonidae, or biting midges (also known as no-see-ums or punkies in North America)

★
★ including Highland midge ''Culicoides impunctatus''

★ Chaoboridae, or phantom midges

★ Chironomidae, or non-biting midges

★ Deuterophlebiidae, or mountain midges

★ Dixidae, or meniscus midges

★ Scatopsidae, or dung midges

★ Thaumaleidae, or solitary midges

While the Ceratopogonidae (biting midges) are serious biting pests, the other midge families are not. Most midges, apart from the gall midges (Cecidomyiidae), are aquatic during the larval stage. Some Cecidomyiidae (e.g., the sorghum midge) are important plant pests. The larvae of some Chironomidae contain haemoglobin and are sometimes referred to as bloodworms.^[2]
For further information concerning specific groups consult their entries.

Contents

References

References

1. Merritt, R.W., and Cummins, K.W. (eds.), 1996. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
2. Walker, I. R. 2001. Midges: Chironomidae and related Diptera. pp. 43-66, In: J. P. Smol, H. J. B. Birks, and W. M. Last (eds). Tracking Environmental Change Using Lake Sediments. Volume 4. Zoological Indicators. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.