Ceratopogonidae (family)

Biting Midge at Cook, ACT

Ceratopogonidae (family) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2020
Ceratopogonidae (family) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2020
Ceratopogonidae (family) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2020
Ceratopogonidae (family) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2020
Request use of media

Identification history

Ceratopogonidae (family) 2 Nov 2020 KimPullen
Ceratopogonidae (family) 2 Nov 2020 KimPullen
Unidentified 31 Oct 2020 CathB

Identify this sighting


Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

User's notes

This tiny fly was perched on the back of the larger fly in sighting 4354301. It flew off when I accidentally disturbed it.

2 comments

KimPullen wrote:
   2 Nov 2020
Some Sand fly species are notorious for biting humans; others predate other small insects; yet others, like this one, are short-term parasites of other larger insects, sucking their body juices.
jgl wrote:
   3 Nov 2020
'Biting midge' is a less ambiguous term than 'sand fly'/'sandfly'' for ceratopogonids, as we have phlebotomine psychodids in northern Australia - use of the term 'sand fly' for ceratopognids is uncommon outsided the USA.

Please Login or Register to comment.

Nearby sightings

Page 2 of 4 - image sightings only

Amanita sp. (Amanita sp.) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2021 by drakes
Tiliqua scincoides scincoides (Eastern Blue-tongue) at Cook, ACT - 1 Apr 2021 by drakes
Oenochroa and Artiastis (genera) at Cook, ACT - 9 Mar 2021 by CathB
Perga dorsalis (Steel-blue sawfly, spitfire) at Cook, ACT - 26 Feb 2021 by CathB
Camponotus nigroaeneus (Sugar ant) at Cook, ACT - 19 Feb 2021 by CathB
Opisthoncus sp. (genus) (Unidentified Opisthoncus jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 13 Feb 2021 by CathB
Neotartessus flavipes (A leafhopper) at Cook, ACT - 13 Feb 2021 by CathB
Rhytidoponera aspera (Greenhead ant) at Cook, ACT - 10 Feb 2021 by CathB
Tiphiidae sp. (family) (Unidentified Smooth flower wasp) at Cook, ACT - 9 Feb 2021 by CathB
Araneus circulissparsus (species group) (Speckled Orb-weaver) at Cook, ACT - 23 Jan 2021 by CathB
Camponotus suffusus (Golden-tailed sugar ant) at Cook, ACT - 23 Jan 2021 by CathB
Miridae (family) (Unidentified plant bug) at Cook, ACT - 23 Jan 2021 by CathB
Diomus notescens (Little two-spotted ladybird) at Cook, ACT - 23 Jan 2021 by CathB
Conocephalus sp. (genus) (A Tussock Katydid) at Cook, ACT - 21 Jan 2021 by CathB
Cadmus (Cadmus) litigiosus (Leaf beetle) at Cook, ACT - 21 Jan 2021 by CathB
Psyllidae sp. (family) (Unidentified psyllid or lerp insect) at Cook, ACT - 21 Jan 2021 by CathB
Opisthoncus sexmaculatus (Six-marked jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 21 Jan 2021 by CathB
Psyllidae sp. (family) (Unidentified psyllid or lerp insect) at Cook, ACT - 21 Jan 2021 by CathB
Megastigmus sp. (genus) (Parasitic wasp) at Cook, ACT - 21 Jan 2021 by CathB
Deliochus pulcher (Beautiful Deliochus spider) at Cook, ACT - 21 Jan 2021 by CathB
Lactuca serriola f. serriola (Prickly Lettuce) at Cook, ACT - 18 Jan 2021 by drakes
Ancita marginicollis (A longhorn beetle) at Cook, ACT - 9 Jan 2021 by CathB
Cynosurus echinatus (Rough Dog's Tail Grass) at Cook, ACT - 2 Jan 2021 by CathB
Dichelachne crinita (Long-hair Plume Grass) at Cook, ACT - 31 Dec 2020 by CathB
Tetragnatha demissa (Tetragnatha demissa) at Cook, ACT - 31 Dec 2020 by CathB
Comptosia quadripennis (a bee fly) at Cook, ACT - 14 Dec 2020 by CathB
Convolvulus angustissimus subsp. angustissimus (Australian Bindweed) at Cook, ACT - 13 Dec 2020 by drakes
Heteronympha merope (Common Brown Butterfly) at Cook, ACT - 13 Dec 2020 by drakes
Hackelia suaveolens (Sweet Hounds Tongue) at Cook, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by drakes
Acaena echinata (Sheeps Burr) at Cook, ACT - 29 Nov 2020 by drakes
Dissomorphia australiaria (Dissomorphia australiaria) at Cook, ACT - 27 Nov 2020 by AlisonMilton
Goniaea opomaloides (Mimetic Gumleaf Grasshopper) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2020 by AlisonMilton
Dolophones sp. (genus) (Wrap-around spider) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2020 by AlisonMilton
Dicranosterna immaculata (Acacia leaf beetle) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2020 by AlisonMilton
Leptotarsus (Macromastix) costalis (Common Brown Crane Fly) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2020 by AlisonMilton
Coccidae sp. (family) (Unidentified coccid scale insect) at Cook, ACT - 26 Nov 2020 by AlisonMilton
Atrapsalta furcilla (Southern Mountain Squeaker) at Cook, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by CathB
Clania lewinii (Lewin's case moth) at Cook, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by CathB
Rosopaella cuprea (A leafhopper) at Cook, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by CathB
Eurymeloides pulchra (Gumtree hopper) at Cook, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by CathB
Eriococcidae sp. (family) (Unidentified felted scale) at Cook, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by CathB
Holoplatys sp. (genus) (Unidentified Holoplatys jumping spider) at Cook, ACT - 21 Nov 2020 by CathB
Acanthonevroides jarvisi (A fruit fly) at Cook, ACT - 20 Nov 2020 by CathB
Edusella puberula (Leaf beetle) at Cook, ACT - 18 Nov 2020 by CathB
Edusella sp. (genus) (A leaf beetle) at Cook, ACT - 18 Nov 2020 by CathB
Orobanche minor (Broomrape) at Cook, ACT - 15 Nov 2020 by drakes
Lysimachia arvensis (Scarlet Pimpernel) at Cook, ACT - 15 Nov 2020 by drakes
Eryngium ovinum (Blue Devil) at Cook, ACT - 14 Nov 2020 by drakes
Pergagrapta sp. (genus) (A sawfly) at Cook, ACT - 5 Nov 2020 by CathB
Petrorhagia sp. at Cook, ACT - 1 Nov 2020 by drakes
Camponotus suffusus (Golden-tailed sugar ant) at Cook, ACT - 1 Nov 2020 by MattFox
Inopus rubriceps (Sugarcane Soldier Fly) at Cook, ACT - 28 Oct 2020 by CathB
Capusa (genus) (Wedge moth) at Cook, ACT - 20 Oct 2020 by CathB
Miridae (family) (Unidentified plant bug) at Cook, ACT - 11 Oct 2020 by CathB
Myosotis discolor (Forget-me-not) at Cook, ACT - 8 Oct 2020 by CathB
Stackhousia monogyna (Creamy Candles) at Cook, ACT - 5 Oct 2020 by JasonC
Eryngium ovinum (Blue Devil) at Cook, ACT - 17 Sep 2020 by CathB
Carex inversa (Knob Sedge) at Cook, ACT - 17 Sep 2020 by CathB
Eurhopalus froggatti (Dermestid beetle, Skin beetle) at Belconnen, ACT - 17 Sep 2020 by CathB
Leucopogon fletcheri subsp. brevisepalus (Twin Flower Beard-Heath) at Cook, ACT - 17 Sep 2020 by CathB
Carex breviculmis (Short-Stem Sedge) at Cook, ACT - 16 Sep 2020 by CathB
Stackhousia monogyna (Creamy Candles) at Cook, ACT - 16 Sep 2020 by CathB
Plantago gaudichaudii (Narrow Plantain) at Cook, ACT - 15 Sep 2020 by CathB
Mycetophilidae (family) (A fungus gnat) at Cook, ACT - 7 Sep 2020 by CathB
Pleuridium sp. at Cook, ACT - 21 Jul 2020 by CathB
Fissidens sp. at Cook, ACT - 18 Jul 2020 by CathB
Pottiaceae (family) (A moss) at Cook, ACT - 18 Jul 2020 by CathB
Coracina novaehollandiae (Black-faced Cuckooshrike) at Cook, ACT - 15 Jul 2020 by Tammy
Lentinus arcularius (Fringed Polypore) at Cook, ACT - 5 Jul 2020 by drakes
Pottiaceae (family) (A moss) at Cook, ACT - 22 Jun 2020 by CathB
Entosthodon sp. at Cook, ACT - 22 Jun 2020 by CathB
Spergularia rubra (Sandspurrey) at Cook, ACT - 10 Jun 2020 by CathB
Fissidens sp. at Cook, ACT - 10 Jun 2020 by CathB
Lasiopsylla sp. (genus) (Psyllid or Lerp insect) at Cook, ACT - 1 Jun 2020 by CathB
Dianella sp. aff. longifolia (Benambra) (Pale Flax Lily, Blue Flax Lily) at Cook, ACT - 31 May 2020 by CathB
Dactylis glomerata (Cocksfoot) at Cook, ACT - 26 May 2020 by CathB
Microlaena stipoides (Weeping Grass) at Cook, ACT - 26 May 2020 by CathB
Panicum capillare/hillmanii (Exotic/Invasive Panic Grass) at Cook, ACT - 26 May 2020 by CathB
Limacella pitereka at Cook, ACT - 25 May 2020 by drakes
Plantago varia (Native Plaintain) at Cook, ACT - 21 May 2020 by CathB
Acaena sp. (A Sheep's Burr) at Cook, ACT - 21 May 2020 by CathB
Plantago gaudichaudii (Narrow Plantain) at Cook, ACT - 21 May 2020 by CathB
Dianella sp. aff. longifolia (Benambra) (Pale Flax Lily, Blue Flax Lily) at Cook, ACT - 6 May 2020 by CathB
Dolomedes sp. (genus) (Fishing spider) at Cook, ACT - 4 May 2020 by CathB
Dytiscidae (family) (Unidentified diving beetle) at Cook, ACT - 18 Apr 2020 by CathB
Oecophoridae (family) (Unidentified Oecophorid concealer moth) at Cook, ACT - 18 Apr 2020 by CathB
Phryganeutis cinerea (Chezala Group moth) at Cook, ACT - 12 Apr 2020 by CathB
Pisauridae (family) (Water spider) at Cook, ACT - 12 Apr 2020 by CathB
Dytiscidae (family) (Unidentified diving beetle) at Cook, ACT - 12 Apr 2020 by CathB
Ranatra sp. (genus) (Water Scorpion or Water Stick Insect) at Cook, ACT - 10 Apr 2020 by CathB
Austrolimnophila antiqua (Crane fly) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Gynoplistia (Gynoplistia) bella (A crane fly) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Morbora sp. (genus) (Unidentified Morbora shield bug) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Echinochloa crus-galli (Barnyard Grass) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Ischnura aurora (Aurora Bluetail) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Ephydridae sp. (family) (Shore Flies) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Ephemeroptera (order) (Unidentified Mayfly) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Chironomidae (family) (Non-biting Midge) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Sapromyza sp. (genus) (A lauxaniid fly) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB
Corixidae (family) (Water Boatman) at Cook, ACT - 9 Apr 2020 by CathB

1  2  3  4 

Location information

Sighting information

  • 1 Abundance
  • 28 Oct 2020 05:26 PM Recorded on
  • CathB Recorded by

Additional information

  • Perched on Inopus rubriceps Associated Insect
  • Less than 5mm Animal size

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
2,148,925 sightings of 19,884 species in 6,408 locations from 11,278 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.