Biting midges travel in dense Florida canopy

Why Biting Midges in Florida Forests Are More Than Just a Nuisance

Lena Kashyap in Science & Nature September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the surprising vertical habits of Culicoides midges and what it means for disease transmission and vector control in the Sunshine State."

Imagine taking a peaceful stroll through a Florida forest, only to be swarmed by tiny, persistent biting midges. These pesky insects, also known as no-see-ums, can turn a pleasant outing into an itchy nightmare. But there's more to these tiny flies than meets the eye, especially when it comes to their behavior in forest environments.

For years, scientists have known that many vector arthropods – insects that transmit diseases – tend to hang out at different vertical levels within a forest. However, very little has been known about the Culicoides biting midges, which are abundant in Florida. Understanding their habits could significantly change vector control strategies.

A recent study conducted at a big game preserve in Florida is now shedding light on the peculiar vertical habits of these Culicoides midges. The findings reveal these insects are not only present but thrive in the higher reaches of the forest canopy. This has major implications for understanding and controlling the spread of diseases.

The High-Rise Life of Florida Midges: What the Study Revealed

Biting midges travel in dense Florida canopy

The research, led by Bethany L. McGregor and her team, focused on determining whether common Culicoides species in Florida stratify vertically and whether their positions relate to their host preferences. Over two summer field seasons, they set up traps at two different levels: a ground trap at 1.37 meters and a canopy trap at 6 meters in 2016 and 9 meters in 2017. This allowed them to compare species abundance, physiological status, and blood-meal sources at different heights.

Here's what they discovered:

Species Abundance: In 2017, canopy traps showed significantly higher abundance of C. arboricola, C. biguttatus, C. debilipalpis, C. haematopotus, C. insignis, and C. stellifer compared to ground traps.
Blood-Engorged Midges: More blood-engorged midges were found in the canopy traps during both study years.
Blood-Meal Sources: An astounding 98.6% to 98.7% of blood meals from canopy-collected midges came from ground-dwelling mammals.

These findings indicate that these Culicoides species, including those suspected of transmitting hemorrhagic disease viruses, are not just randomly distributed. They actively exploit the forest canopy, often feeding on ground-dwelling mammals before moving upwards.

What This Means for You and Florida's Ecosystems

These data contribute valuable ecological information on Culicoides species found in Florida and provide a framework for developing effective vector control strategies to target these species. Understanding how these midges behave vertically is essential for predicting and managing disease outbreaks, protecting both wildlife and human populations. It’s time to rethink where we look for these tiny but significant inhabitants of Florida’s forests.

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: 10.1186/s13071-018-3080-5, Alternate LINK

Title: Vertical Stratification Of Culicoides Biting Midges At A Florida Big Game Preserve

Subject: Infectious Diseases

Journal: Parasites & Vectors

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Bethany L. Mcgregor, Alfred E. Runkel, Samantha M. Wisely, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena

Published: 2018-09-10

Everything You Need To Know

What are Culicoides biting midges, and why are they considered more than just a nuisance in Florida forests?

Culicoides biting midges, often called no-see-ums, are tiny flies known for their irritating bites. In Florida, these insects are more than just a nuisance because they can transmit diseases. The research highlights that understanding their behavior, specifically their vertical habits, is crucial for predicting and managing disease outbreaks, impacting both wildlife and human health. The discovery of their presence in the forest canopy changes how we view these insects and how we should approach vector control strategies.

How did the recent study determine the vertical habits of Culicoides midges within Florida forests?

The study, led by Bethany L. McGregor and her team, involved setting up traps at two different levels: a ground trap at 1.37 meters and a canopy trap at 6 meters in 2016 and 9 meters in 2017. Researchers compared species abundance, physiological status, and blood-meal sources between the two levels. This allowed them to observe the vertical distribution and behavior of different Culicoides species, including those suspected of transmitting hemorrhagic disease viruses.

What were the key findings of the study regarding the vertical distribution of Culicoides species?

The study revealed that certain Culicoides species, like C. arboricola, C. biguttatus, C. debilipalpis, C. haematopotus, C. insignis, and C. stellifer, had a significantly higher abundance in the canopy traps compared to ground traps. Additionally, more blood-engorged midges were found in the canopy, and the majority of their blood meals came from ground-dwelling mammals. This data provides valuable ecological information on Culicoides species found in Florida.

Why is understanding the vertical habits of Culicoides midges important for disease management and vector control?

Understanding where Culicoides midges live and feed is crucial for effective vector control and predicting disease outbreaks. Since the midges feed on ground-dwelling mammals and then move upwards, targeted control strategies can be developed. This can help protect both wildlife and human populations from diseases transmitted by these insects. This ecological information is essential for the development of effective vector control strategies to target these species.

How might the findings of the study change how we approach vector control and disease management in Florida forests?

The discovery of the vertical habits of Culicoides midges, as revealed by the study, necessitates a shift in vector control strategies. Current practices may not be reaching the areas where these midges are most active, particularly in the forest canopy. The research emphasizes the need to rethink where we look for these insects and how we implement control measures. This understanding allows for the development of more targeted and effective strategies, ultimately protecting both the ecosystem and the public from the diseases these midges carry. Understanding these habits can help manage disease outbreaks, protecting both wildlife and human populations.