Midges are a family of insects from the order Diptera, characterized by their small size and high mobility. They are one of the most common insect species in the world. Midges live in a variety of environments, including fresh and marine waters, terrestrial environments, desert areas, and even planted environments. They can be found almost anywhere in the world. Most midges are light in color, but some species can be brightly colored to attract the attention of predators. Midges are important intermediate hosts for certain parasites that infect other animals, causing diseases such as