[ noun ] minute two-winged insect that sucks the blood of mammals and birds and other insects <noun.animal>
Punkie \Punk"ie\, n. [Orig. unknown.] A minute biting fly of the genus {Ceratopogon} or allied genus of the family {Chironomid[ae]}, found in swarms in various densely wooded or mountaneous regions. [U. S.] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
no-see-um \no-see-um\ n. (Zool.) Any of several minute two-winged biting insects of the family {Ceratopogonidae} that suck the blood of mammals and birds and other insects; also called {biting midge} and {punkie}.