What are biting midges commonly referred to as?

Biting midges are commonly referred to as sand flies due to their habitat preferences and behavior. These small, flying insects thrive in sandy or marshy areas, particularly near water bodies, which contributes to their association with sandy environments. The term "sand flies" reflects their tendency to be found in locations where sand is prevalent, such as beaches and riverbanks.

While the other options such as sharp flies, water bugs, and flying ants do describe different types of insects or bug categories, they do not accurately represent biting midges. Sharp flies is not a widely recognized term in entomology, and water bugs refer to a completely different group of aquatic insects that are not related to biting midges. Flying ants are members of the ant family and are also distinct from midges. Thus, sand flies is the correct and commonly accepted name for biting midges, highlighting their ecological niche and physical characteristics.