Procedures for the laboratory colonization of Culicoides furens (Poey) are described. Colonies can be started from groups of 500 or more newly emerged adults collected in the field. The larvae are reared dry soil (uncontaminated with larvae from the natural population) collected from the breeding sites. The larval food consists of measured quantities of free-living nematodes and powdered oatmeal. With the specified procedures, the complete life cycle occupies 34–36 days.