Midges
In the early morning on a warm, summer day, clouds of tiny insects cavort above the pond, near the trees. In the evening they can be seen again. These little creatures are midges.
In the UK there are more than 650 species of midges, about 500 of which do not bite – the rest do. It is only the females that bite because they need fresh blood to allow their eggs to mature. They feed on birds as well as mammals, with each species having its particular host. There are two or three generations of midges a year in the UK, but in other parts of the world, a new generation can emerge every three weeks!
Midges gather to dance because they are hoping to mate. Both sexes give off scent to attract a mate and can also be attracted to human perfumes, aftershaves and deodorants. They swarm near things like branches and sometimes gather in such numbers that they create tall towers. On one occasion there was such a large congregation of midges in Wiltshire that they shrouded the spire of Salisbury Cathedral, looking like smoke. The fire brigade was called because concerned citizens thought the Cathedral was on fire.
Midges are some of the most sensitive indicators of water purity. Their presence signifies healthy water with good oxygen levels; when their absence is noted, it may mean the water is polluted.
I was going to mention Scotland. They seem particularly bad there.
ReplyDeleteThey are!
DeleteI'm assuming that midges are the same as what we commonly refer to as gnats. They've been particularly annoying this year here on the coast of Northern California. Their presence being an indication of water purity is most interesting; I've not heard that before. BTW, I especially liked yesterday's photos of Jellicoe and Herschel!
ReplyDeleteThey seem to be interchangeable in most people's experience. They're so small that it's difficult to differentiate.
DeleteAre midges and gnats the same thing?
ReplyDeleteThey're not, but they're difficult to identify, being so small. Both can be biting pests!
DeleteThey are a nuisance, I think, and I didn't know that about water purity. Interesting. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know they have some good purpose in life! x x
DeleteHaving owned a cottage by Loch Torridon for 20 years, believe me I am a world expert in the Highland midge (Culicoides impunctatus)...
ReplyDeleteCheers! Gail.
I envy you the location but not the midges!
DeleteI only know the one which bites, because then I become a mass murderer.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are irritating.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of midges here in Melbourne, but on line I quickly found information on the Western Australia experience. Apparently the female sandfly, the nightmare for campers, needs blood meals to lay eggs. No midge borne diseases, but a great deal of misery.
ReplyDeleteLittle creatures can make life very uncomfortable, but still people continue to go camping.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice - the birds need them, so I'm quite glad to see clouds of them around - but not in Scotland ... a place to avoid in midge season. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see insects, though I do find flies indoors very irritating!
DeleteI have suffered with midges in Scotland and mosquitos here in Ontario (and in many other parts of the world) and I am not sure which are worse - the ones biting at the moment I suppose! But at least the midges don't threaten you with Dengue Fever or other similar delights!
ReplyDelete