Monster Mosquitoes Invade Florida
Date: March 12, 2013Category: Author: Infinity Dental Web
Heading down to Florida for spring break? You’re going to want to bring bug spray—and lots of it. According to entomologist Phil Kaufman, associate professor with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Florida is about to be invaded by giant mosquitoes.
The insects—20 times larger than the normal ones—are known as Psorophora ciliata or Galinipper mosquitos. Their bodies are half an inch long, black and white in color, and have a wingspan of 6-7 millimeters.
They’re notoriously more aggressive than their relatives, and their bite feels like a ‘stabbing’ sensation. How pleasant. Not only that but they are active at all times of day and can bite through clothing, so it won’t do you any good to wear long sleeves and pants. These frightening bugs are also carnivorous, targeting other mosquitoes, fish, and tadpoles.
On the plus side, only the female of the species bites and the bugs are not venomous or able to carry diseases dangerous to humans. The giant bugs eat mosquito larvae, which may decrease the number of disease-carrying regular mosquitos. Still, the fact that insects with knife-like biting abilities will be swarming parts of Florida this summer is enough to make me not want to travel any further east.
So why are these monstrous mosquitos invading Florida? Normally the Galinipper is native to eastern United States, but they don’t turn up most summers. Last summer there was an influx due to Tropical Storm Debby and the fact that Florida had a particularly rainy summer.
Galinippers hatch after big rainstorms in floods. Because of last year’s numerous rainstorms and floods, the perfect breeding ground for these mosquitos has been created.
Kaufman says, “down near Paynes Prairie, you are more likely to have more numbers than Main Street Gainesville.” No matter where you live, be prepared. If you live in Florida or just believe yourself to be a mosquito magnet, take a look at this article entitled 7 Way to Avoid Mosquitos.
I certainly hope these quarter-sized bloodsucking insects don’t make their way over to Louisiana!
Dr. Mike Malone and his team practice expert cosmetic dentistry in Lafayette, LA. Dr. Malone is the former president and current accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is also the official Cosmetic Dentist of the Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana Teen USA pageants. Check out his website for more information.