Blood-sucking midges from the Simuliidae family are small dipteran insects belonging to the Nematocera suborder. They inhabit various landscapes and geographical zones throughout the Russian Federation and play an important role in medical and epidemiological contexts as hematophagous insects and disease vectors affecting both humans and animals. The species composition and population size of midges in aquatic habitats are influenced by hydrological conditions and environmental factors that influence the blood-feeding behavior of adult females. This study provides regional data on the diversity of blood-sucking midges. Globally, approximately 1,600 species in 81 genera have been identified, and their ecological traits are studied concerning climatic conditions. However, systematic research on the distribution and population density of the main disease vectors in Russia remains limited or is conducted only in select regions, making it challenging to assess the risk of pathogen introduction and spread. Climate change may facilitate the expansion of highly adaptable blood-sucking arthropods into northern areas, directly affecting the epizootology and epidemiology of vector-borne diseases. Continuous monitoring of biota diversity, detecting species shifts, correlating them with environmental changes, analyzing trends, and implementing necessary biodiversity conservation measures are essential to understanding the broader impacts of global climate shifts on insect populations.
