Thaumaleidae, the
solitary midges or
trickle midges, are a group of
nematoceran flies related to the
Ceratopogonidae,
Chironomidae, and the
Simuliidae. They are small, stocky, yellow to brown flies (3-4 mm). Very few species are known for this
family (about 120 species in five genera).
Larvae are found in films on rocks and the nonfeeding adults are usually found on foliage along the same streams in which the larvae are found. A few solitary midges are found in the
Southern Hemisphere, but Thaumaleidae are generally an
Holarctic family.