Scanning electron micrograph of the head & thorax of a female biting midge (family Ceratopogonidae). Midges are bloodthirsty, minute flies (less than

---

Scanning electron micrograph of the head & thorax of a female biting midge (family Ceratopogonidae). Midges are bloodthirsty, minute flies (less than 1mm body length). They feed only in the evenings when they attack humans primarily at the edges of their clothing. Some species feed on all warm- blooded animals and some only on cold-blooded animals. The feeding apparatus, or proboscis, is the long narrow extension at the bottom of the head. Above are two short palps, or tactile feelers with the long beadlike antennae in the middle of the head. Enveloping the head are the compound eyes. Magnification: x210 at 8x10 inch size.

---

Size: 4228px × 4134px
Photo credit: © DAVID SCHARF/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: animal, biting, blood, ceratopogonidae, feeder, humans, insect, insecta, invertebrate, invertebrates, midge, nature, pest, stinging, wildlife, zoology