Midge – Chironomus kirklandia

Pliocene

Rita Blanca Formation Oldham County TX USA.

Cluster of midges on 45mm slab.

Insect.  Diptera.

Chironomus is a genus of non-biting midge that dates back at least to the Eocene as it is known from Middle Eocene-age Baltic amber.  It belongs to the Family Chironomidae which goes back much further in time to the Triassic.

A midge is a type of fly (Order Diptera) even smaller than houseflies.