These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution

Horses Home

What is a no-see-um?

Last Updated: June 18, 2009

View as web page


No-see-ums (family Ceratopogonidae) are tiny biting flies that often live near water. No-see-ums are less than a quarter of an inch long. You often see them swarming together in a cloud. Females no-see-ums bite and suck blood. They need the protein from blood to make their eggs. No-see-ums will take blood from mammals, birds, and reptiles. Male no-see-ums are nectar feeders and do not bite.

Browse related Faqs by tag: horses, insects


Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts

Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.


View this page: