Baltic Amber Non-Biting Midge

Description: This amber piece displays a fine member of the Diptera, a member of the true or non-biting midges Chironomidae. The term Diptera means “two-winged” and is actually a misnomer. Most members have a second, vestigial pair of wings that are mere knobs which are used as a “gyroscope” to keep the insect level in flight. This one bears a resemblance to the much smaller biting midges, Ceratopogonidae.