Family CERATOPOGONIDAE Newman, 1834

Ceratopogonidae

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Family CERATOPOGONIDAE Newman, 1834

Compiler and date details

1999 - E.-M.E. Bugledich, CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Updated 2011-2012 - Karin Koch and Christine Lambkin, Queensland Museum

Introduction

The Ceratopogonidae, comprising some 5155 extant species worldwide, are known as the biting midges, to contrast with their sister group, the non-biting midges (Chironomidae). The name biting midge reflects the general presence of functional mandibles in the adult females, and their almost universal absence in the Chironomidae (q.v.). The mandibles are used in feeding to obtain the protein meal usually required for egg maturation. The mandibles of all female biting midges are used to take blood from vertebrates (including humans) and invertebrates. Some species are restricted to sucking haemolymph from invertebrate hosts such as odonates and lepidopterans (Forcipomyia and Atrichopogon) whilst many Ceratopogonini are predators of other flying Nematocera. In some species, the female mandibles may be used to feed on the copulating male of her own species. Certain species, notably amongst Dasyhelea, lack functional mandibles. Amongst vertebrate-biting species are many pests of humans and of livestock, and protozoans, filaria and viruses such as blue-tongue may be transmitted.

In the larval stage the relationship between Ceratopogonidae and Chironomidae is obvious, since they are superficially difficult to distinguish. However, there is an internal structure unique to ceratopogonid larvae — the strongly developed pharyngeal apparatus, which has two strongly divergent arms with prominent combs between.

Larval ecology varies with subfamily: Leptoconopinae are sand-burrowers in fresh, estuarine and marine shores. Dasyheleinae are characteristic of container habitats, including phytotelmata. Forcipomyiinae larvae are more terrestrial but also include fully aquatic species. The Ceratopogoninae vary in habit, but include many semi-aquatic and aquatic species of which several can be found in tree holes.

The fossil record of Ceratopogonidae is rich, with over 205 species described from as early as the Lower Cretaceous.