How to Write 蠛 (miè) — Meaning “Midge / Tiny fly”

Picture a tiny fly (虫) that is so small it is "disdained" or ignored (蔑). The right side 蔑 looks like a small creature with a dot on top, reminding you of a midge’s tiny body.

Start by writing the left radical 虫 (6 strokes), then the right part 蔑 (14 strokes). Be careful not to miss the dot above 蔑 – it sits over the top horizontal line. Also keep the proportions balanced, as the right side has many strokes.

蠛 (miè) means a midge or tiny fly, while 蟛 (péng) refers to a type of crab and 蟟 (liáo) is a kind of cicada. Visually, the right sides differ: 蠛 uses 蔑, 蟛 uses 彭, and 蟟 uses 尞.

蠛 is a rare character not in HSK, appearing mostly in literary or scientific writing about midges. You might see it in words like 蠛蠓 (miè měng) meaning a tiny insect, but it is not used in everyday conversation.

Common words containing 蠛 include: 蠛蠓 (miè měng) — Tiny insect / Midge; 蠛子 (miè zi) — Gnat / Midge; 蠛蠓虫 (miè měng chóng) — Tiny insect / Midge.