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Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge

Metriocnemus erythranthei

The Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge is a tiny insect that loves to hang around water. They are so small that you might not even notice them, but they play an important role in nature by helping plants grow.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge is a tiny, delicate insect, typically pale brown or grayish with clear wings. It has slender antennae, which are feathery in males, and does not possess the long, piercing proboscis seen in mosquitoes.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderDipteraFamilyChironomidaeGenusMetriocnemus
Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge
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Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult Monkeyflower Midges live only a few days, focused on finding a mate and laying eggs.

Each female midge can lay hundreds of eggs, ensuring new generations of flower-dwellers.

These tiny midges spend their caterpillar-like youth entirely hidden inside a monkeyflower bloom!

They look like mosquitoes but don't bite; their mouthparts are too soft to pierce skin!

Special abilities

Ability

Floral Dweller

Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge can live its entire larval life inside a monkeyflower because its tiny body is adapted to feed on the plant.

Ability

Nectar Sipper

Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge can sip nectar from flowers using delicate mouthparts that help them get energy without biting.

Ability

Pollen Courier

Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge helps pollinate flowers as it moves between them, transferring pollen to aid plant reproduction.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
2-8 mm
Size
1-5 mm
Lifespan
1-7 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip nectar from flowers; larvae eat plant tissue from inside monkeyflowers.

Age differences: Larvae eat plant tissue, while adults consume nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Monkeyflower plant tissue

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Common Monkeyflower

Erythranthe guttata

Larvae develop and feed exclusively within its blossoms.

pollinates

Common Monkeyflower

Erythranthe guttata

Adult midges help transfer pollen between flowers.

eaten by

Flower Crab Spider

Misumena vatia

These spiders ambush adult midges resting on flower petals.

eaten by

Song Sparrow

Melospiza melodia

Sparrows forage for insects like midges among vegetation.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

These insects are safe and won't hurt you, so you can enjoy watching them!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge's wingspan?

2-8 mm

How big is Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge?

1-5 mm

How long does Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge live?

1-7 days

What does Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge eat?

Adults sip nectar from flowers; larvae eat plant tissue from inside monkeyflowers.

Where is Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge usually found?

Wetlands

How does Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Monkeyflower Non-biting Midge have?

6

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