biting midge

American  

noun

1. punkie.

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biting midge British  

noun

1. any small fragile dipterous fly of the family Ceratopogonidae , most of which suck the blood of mammals, birds, or other insects

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Etymology

Origin of biting midge

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Dr Alison Blackwell, an expert on these beasts, says Scotland has about 40 species of biting midge.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2017

Dundreggan has four known species of the dreaded biting midge.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2017

"The main species is the Highland biting midge, the one with the spotty wings and the one most people will be familiar with," she says.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2017

The disease, carried by a biting midge, can be fatal to sheep and cows.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2016

Tourists put off returning to Scotland after being repeatedly bitten by the tiny biting midge are estimated to cost the tourism industry £286m a year, according to expert Dr Alison Blackwell.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2013