Things That Bite: Great Lakes Edition: A Realistic Look at Critters That Scare People - Softcover

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Tom Anderson is a professional naturalist, an award-winning writer and a wildlife expert. For sixteen years he was director of the Lee and Rose Warner Nature Center, which is associated with the Science Museum of Minnesota and is located in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. In addition to his work at the nature center, Tom is a well-known writer and columnist. For nearly 15 years he wrote “Reading Sign,” an award-winning column for the Chisago County Press. He is also the author of two books, Learning Nature by a Country Road and Black Bear: Seasons in the Wild, both from Voyageur Press. He is a published poet and was a columnist for the Midwest Fly Fishing Magazine and the Science Museum of Minnesota periodical Encounters. Tom has been honored many times for his writing. He was one of 20 Minnesotan artists chosen to participate in the Millennium Journal Project. In 2003 he was awarded the “Best Commentary Award” by The National Association of Interpretation’s periodical, The Legacy. In 2004 he was runner-up for the “Best Feature” category. The natural world and our intimate connection to it inspires Tom to write. He lives southwest of North Branch, but he travels often, especially in the far North. He lives with his lovely wife Nancy Conger in the 19th century farmhouse his Swedish great-great grandparents built.

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No-See-Ums

Despite their small size, these little gnats can drive people crazy and into the nearest shelter. I have known folks to pack up their tents, hook up their trailers and leave spectacular campgrounds to avoid a major hatch of no-see-ums. No-see-ums can inflict misery simply by their legion numbers. Sometimes swarms are so thick that they are easily taken into our mouths, noses, eyes and ears.

About No-See-Ums

These little insects fall into a group known as biting midges, also known as “punkies” and no-see-ums. There are more than 100 species in North America. When these little flying insurgents are bad they can be worse than mosquitoes since they can easily infiltrate the average window screen.

Life and Times . . .

Like other flies, these tiny biters go through a complete metamorphosis. They go from egg to larva to pupa before finally reaching adulthood. This complex life cycle can take 2–6 weeks. After ingesting a blood meal, the female seeks the edge of a wetland, where she lays her eggs on moist soil or mud. Some species can produce up to 450 eggs per batch. Eggs generally hatch within 2–10 days. The adult female will only live a few weeks. The tiny, legless aquatic larvae scavenge on decaying organic matter in mud, sand, tree holes, water and vegetation. Species found in the Great Lakes region spend the winter in a dormant state in their larval stage and pupate in the spring before “emerging” as adults. Males usually emerge first and are ready to mate when the females take wing. Mating usually occurs in flight, when receptive females fly into swarms of cooperative males.

Fascinating Facts

• No-see-ums belong to the order of “true flies” or Diptera, meaning two (Di) wings (ptera). There are more than 3,500 species in North America.
• While there are currently no issues with no-see-ums transmitting diseases to humans in the Great Lakes area, they are blamed for spreading bluetongue (a serious disease in ruminants such as sheep and cattle) among livestock in parts of the United States.

Thanks to No-See-Ums

• No-see-ums are very important in the food chain
• Many species of insects and fish that feed on the larvae, pupae and adult insects.
• These tiny insects, particularly the nectar-seeking males, are important plant pollinators.

Myth Busters

MYTH: The female no-see-um dies after one egg-laying episode. Females are capable of laying several batches of eggs.

Why They Bite

Male no-see-ums do not bite. But the female needs a protein-rich blood meal in order to produce her eggs. She obtains it by biting a variety of involuntary donors such as reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals―including humans.

How They Bite Like other biting flies, the female no-see-um has a tiny set of sharp mandibles or jaws that are used to cut into flesh. To help her quickly secure a blood meal, a natural blood thinner in her saliva makes it easier for her to suck up the blood. The non-venomous bite in itself is not exceedingly painful. However, after the bite has been dealt, the itching and discomfort can be miserable.

How Afraid Should I Be?

Other than temporary discomfort, there is little reason to worry. Small, raised welts and blisters can form and last for several days. The greatest concern is that sometimes an allergic reaction can occur. Such a reaction will usually show up resembling a skin rash or infection.

Preventing No-See-Um Bites

• The simplest protection to prevent bites is to wear protective clothing (long pants and long-sleeved shirts).
• Insect repellants containing DEET help reduce the likelihood of bites.
• Since their small size allows them to crawl through the conventional 16-mesh wire screen, a finer mesh might be required to keep them outdoors.
• These tiny flies are weak fliers, so indoor fans set at high speeds can be used to keep the insects out of small areas.
• Some people have good luck with a spray-on sunscreen (SPF 30). Although it is DEET-free, it is recommended that you shower it off each night.

Treatment of Bites

• Clean the bites with soap and water.
• Itching and swelling can be reduced with the help of anti-itch and anti-inflammatory lotions and creams.
• Aspirin or Tylenol might offer additional relief. Do not administer aspirin to children under 15 years old.
• If blisters occur, apply an antibacterial/antibiotic ointment and keep the blisters loosely covered to allow air passage to help dry them out.

Bottom line

Protective clothing and other simple precautions will keep most no-see-ums at bay. But other than a little temporary discomfort, there is no reason to fear them. Their bite is neither venomous nor very painful. And although the itching and welts can be miserable, the discomfort is typically short-lived.