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phantom midge
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phantom midge

insect
Also known as: Chaoboridae
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

phantom midge, any insect of the family Chaoboridae (order Diptera), similar in appearance to the mosquito. The common name is derived from the fact that the larvae are almost transparent. Their antennae are modified into grasping organs. The larvae, found in pools, often feed on mosquito larvae. The adults do not bite.