Biting Midges over Black Sea Region

Biting Midges: Unveiling the Hidden World of Turkey's Tiny Pests

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Soraya Malik in Science & Nature June 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Comprehensive Look at Ceratopogonidae Fauna in the Central Black Sea Region"


Biting midges, scientifically known as Ceratopogonidae, are minute flies with a global presence. These tiny insects, measuring between 0.6 and 4.8 mm in wing length, often go unnoticed, but they play a significant role in ecosystems and public health. With over 6,500 known species, these flies occupy various habitats, from tranquil aquatic environments to semi-aquatic landscapes. In Europe alone, over 567 species have been identified.

The life cycle of biting midges begins in aquatic and semi-aquatic environments, where their larvae and pupae thrive. These stages are commonly found in lakes, rivers, ponds, irrigation channels, sewage systems, swamps, and even manure piles. Adult midges are typically found near these breeding sites. Female midges require protein to develop their eggs, often obtained by feeding on the blood of mammals and birds, making humans and livestock vulnerable to their bites.

Biting midges are more than just a nuisance; they pose genuine health and economic threats. Their bites cause immediate pain and burning sensations, leading to itching and allergic reactions that can persist for days. More significantly, they act as vectors for numerous viruses, protozoan parasites, and nematodes. These pathogens can cause diseases in humans, ruminants, horses, and fowl, highlighting the importance of understanding and managing these pests.

Why Study Biting Midges? The Diseases They Transmit

Biting Midges over Black Sea Region

Understanding the diseases transmitted by biting midges is vital for public health. These tiny flies are responsible for spreading several viral diseases, including oropouche fever in humans. In livestock, they transmit bluetongue, Akabane virus, ephemeral fever, and epizootic hemorrhagic diseases in ruminants. They even carry African horse sickness, posing a significant threat to equine populations.

In addition to viruses, biting midges carry nematodes that cause mansonelliasis in humans and onchocerciasis (river blindness) in both domestic and wild animals. Such diseases underscore the importance of controlling biting midge populations and understanding their role in disease transmission.

  • Oropouche Fever: Affects humans, causing flu-like symptoms.
  • Bluetongue: Impacts ruminants, causing fever and tongue swelling.
  • Akabane Virus: Leads to congenital abnormalities in livestock.
  • Ephemeral Fever: Causes fever and lameness in cattle.
  • African Horse Sickness: A severe and often fatal disease in horses.
Research on biting midges in Turkey has been ongoing since the early 20th century, with significant contributions from scientists like Kieffer. These studies have identified various species belonging to genera such as Atrichopogon, Bezzia, and Culicoides. The Culicoides genus is the most studied, with 57 species identified in Turkey. However, comprehensive data on biting midges in the Black Sea Region remains limited, highlighting the need for further research.

Future Directions: Preserving Biodiversity and Protecting Public Health

The present study of the Central Black Sea Region underscores Turkey's rich biting midge fauna. As research expands to genera beyond Culicoides, we gain more insights into the biodiversity and ecological roles of these insects. Continued studies will be essential for identifying new species, understanding their distributions, and developing effective control strategies. This knowledge is vital for safeguarding both public health and agricultural economies in the region.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3906/zoo-1410-33, Alternate LINK

Title: The Ceratopogonidae (Insecta: Diptera) Fauna Of The Central Black Searegion In Turkey

Subject: Animal Science and Zoology

Journal: TURKISH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Publisher: The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK-ULAKBIM) - DIGITAL COMMONS JOURNALS

Authors: Fethi Turgut, Ali Yavuz Kiliç

Published: 2015-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly are biting midges?

Biting midges, scientifically known as Ceratopogonidae, are tiny flies that are globally present. They are typically between 0.6 and 4.8 mm in wing length. While small, these insects are important in ecosystems and public health because the females require blood to develop their eggs.

2

Why should I be concerned about biting midges?

Biting midges are more than just a nuisance because they are vectors for numerous viruses, protozoan parasites, and nematodes. These pathogens can cause diseases in humans, ruminants, horses, and fowl. Some examples of diseases they transmit include oropouche fever in humans, bluetongue in ruminants, and African horse sickness in horses. Understanding their role in disease transmission is crucial for public health.

3

Why is there a need for research on biting midges?

Ongoing research on biting midges, especially those in genera such as Atrichopogon, Bezzia, and Culicoides, is vital for several reasons. It helps identify new species, understand their distributions, and develop effective control strategies. This knowledge is essential for protecting both public health and agricultural economies, as these insects can transmit diseases that affect humans and livestock. The Culicoides genus is the most studied with 57 species identified in Turkey.

4

What kind of diseases do biting midges spread?

Several diseases are transmitted by biting midges. For example, they are responsible for spreading viral diseases such as oropouche fever in humans, bluetongue in ruminants, Akabane virus which leads to congenital abnormalities in livestock, ephemeral fever that causes fever and lameness in cattle, and African horse sickness in horses. They also carry nematodes that cause mansonelliasis in humans and onchocerciasis (river blindness) in animals.

5

Where do biting midges come from?

The life cycle of biting midges begins in aquatic and semi-aquatic environments, where their larvae and pupae thrive. These stages are commonly found in lakes, rivers, ponds, irrigation channels, sewage systems, swamps, and even manure piles. Adult midges are typically found near these breeding sites. Female midges require protein to develop their eggs, often obtained by feeding on the blood of mammals and birds.

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