midge

n. [ OE. migge, AS. mycge; akin to OS. muggia, D. mug, G. mücke, OHG. mucca, Icel. m&unr_;, Sw. mygga, mygg, Dan. myg; perh. named from its buzzing; cf. Gr. &unr_; to low, bellow. ] (Zool.) [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Any one of many small, delicate, long-legged flies of the Chironomus, and allied genera, which do not bite. Their larvae are usually aquatic. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A very small fly, abundant in many parts of the United States and Canada, noted for the irritating quality of its bite. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The name is also applied to various other small flies. See Wheat midge, under Wheat. [ 1913 Webster ]