Females typically lay between 30 to 250 eggs. The location where the eggs are laid is species specific. However, most species prefer moist areas, such as the surface of mud near swamps and marshes, decaying leaf litter, manure, partially submerged objects and tree-holes. Eggs hatch within two to nine days, depending on species and temperature, although some temperate species will overwinter in the egg stage. The larvae have four instars, and feed primarily on decaying vegetation or animal excreta.
Larval development is also temperature-dependent.
In warm climates, development is completed within 14 to 25 days, while in temperate regions it may take seven months or more. From the fourth instar, the biting midge enters the pupal stage, and after three to 10 days, emerges as an adult. Both adult males and females feed on nectar and other natural sugar sources. Only females feed on blood. Females will bite at all hours of the day, but seem to be most troublesome in the early evening.