Post by trehopr1 on Aug 17, 2019 9:23:06 GMT
In the photograph below you will see 2 examples of the worlds largest known species of mosquito. Yes, it really is about the size of a dime ! And guess what; it does not even come from some exotic locale like you might think. Nope, of all places right here in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. as well as many of our southeastern states. It's commonly called the Gallinipper (Psorophora ciliata).
It is not a common insect generally as a species. I have only encountered them on my woodland hikes in the daylight whilst looking for Catocala moths on trees. This is considered to be a "flood mosquito" - one whose population surges after flooding from hurricanes and major storms. Eggs are laid in the cracks of dry dirt in areas prone to collecting rain water. Unlike, its pesky brethren it is not known to transmit disease. In fact, occasionally its larvae will feed on other mosquito larvae.
These beasties are not only impressive in size; they can be somewhat aggressive in nature. At about 6 times the size of your typical mosquito this monster inflicts a powerful bite like being stabbed with a size#2 insect pin ! No kidding...
The voracious females seek blood meals day and night and get rather aggressive should anything invade or disturb their habitat area. The Gallinipper has no problem at all biting you right thru your jeans... Hence, it is best to beat a hasty retreat when you do spy one of these flying about. It soon won't be the only one.
I imagine our deer, cows, and horses probably have a miserable time of it when we have too much rain.
My examples (along with 2 others) were collected by me right here in Northern Illinois some 14 years ago whilst doing my job as a mosquito abatement technician for a large local town.
T
It is not a common insect generally as a species. I have only encountered them on my woodland hikes in the daylight whilst looking for Catocala moths on trees. This is considered to be a "flood mosquito" - one whose population surges after flooding from hurricanes and major storms. Eggs are laid in the cracks of dry dirt in areas prone to collecting rain water. Unlike, its pesky brethren it is not known to transmit disease. In fact, occasionally its larvae will feed on other mosquito larvae.
These beasties are not only impressive in size; they can be somewhat aggressive in nature. At about 6 times the size of your typical mosquito this monster inflicts a powerful bite like being stabbed with a size#2 insect pin ! No kidding...
The voracious females seek blood meals day and night and get rather aggressive should anything invade or disturb their habitat area. The Gallinipper has no problem at all biting you right thru your jeans... Hence, it is best to beat a hasty retreat when you do spy one of these flying about. It soon won't be the only one.
I imagine our deer, cows, and horses probably have a miserable time of it when we have too much rain.
My examples (along with 2 others) were collected by me right here in Northern Illinois some 14 years ago whilst doing my job as a mosquito abatement technician for a large local town.
T