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Any one of many small, delicate, long-legged flies of the Chironomus, and allied genera, which do not bite. Their larvæ are usually aquatic.

A minute bloodsucking fly. [Local, U. S.]

- Hessian crucible. See under Crucible. -- Hessian fly (Zoöl.), a small dipterous fly or midge (Cecidomyia destructor). Its larvæ live between the base of the lower leaves and the stalk of wheat, and are very destructive to young wheat; -- so called from the erroneous idea that it was brought into America by the Hessi…

A small biting fly; a midge. [Local, U. S.]

ecially of grain which has lost its juices from the ravages of insects, such as the wheat midge, or Trips (Thrips cerealium).

are very troublesome on account of their biting habits. Called also no-see-um, punky, and midge. -- Sand gall (Geol.) See Sand pipe, below. -- Sand grass (Bot.), any species of grass which grows in sand; especially, a tufted grass (Triplasis purpurea) with numerous bearded joints, and acid awl-shaped leaves, growing…