THE Infamous Scottish midge is struggling to survive through this summer's dry weather, according to experts.
The notoriously annoying minuscule insects usually emerge in two hatchings and flourish in warm and wet conditions.
And it is likely that recent dry weather in parts of Scotland has stifled a second explosion in their population, according to researchers behind the Scottish Midge Forecast (SMF).
However, it has been warned that if conditions change then there could be “a bang” in the population. There are more than 35 species of biting midges in Scotland with one known as the ‘Highland midge’ being the most tenacious, according to SMF.
A spokesman said: "We have had numerous reports of midges being out in high numbers in the north and west but this recent hot, dry weather isn't ideal for adult midge survival.
"Midges prefer it wet and warm so it's likely that the hot but dry conditions will suppress the emergence of adults, but as soon as we get some wetter weather, they'll probably come out with a bang.
"We had the first peak of midges in early to mid-June and normally we'd have the second peak five or six weeks later, but this second peak is probably being delayed by the current conditions.
"I suspect this peak is another three to four weeks weeks away. A bit later than usual."
While large parts of Scotland have experienced dry weather, the west Highlands has been subject to periods of lower temperatures coupled with wind and rain.
The SMF is managed by APS Biocontrol Ltd in Dundee which also manufactures its own midge repellent.
It has previously been estimated that in the Highlands and Islands alone there could be as many as 21 billion biting midges.
And this number only pertains to the female midges as they drink the blood of other animals to nurture their eggs.
The male of the species instead subsists on nectar and other natural sugars.
An unusual third hatching of midges was recorded back in 2015 when autumn's warm weather precipitated the right conditions for another boom in numbers.
