Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

UF Researcher: Mega mosquitoes set to invade Central Fla. (They're 20x 'regular' size)
Click Orlando (WKMG Local 6) ^ | March 6, 2013 | Evan Lambert

Posted on 03/06/2013 6:52:38 AM PST by Stoat

Mega mosquitoes known as gallinippers could invade Central Florida this summer as flood waters from tropical storms force the larvae to hatch this hurricane season.

Entomologists at the University of Florida say the mosquitoes are 20 times the size of a typical mosquito, about the size of a quarter.

 

They also pack a painful bite, according to UF entomologist Phil Kaufman. He calls the species "notoriously aggressive."

The best way to protect against these super-sized mosquitoes is to wear bug spray with DEET and cover up as best as possible.

Gallinippers were spotted last year in Florida after Tropical Storm Debbie doused the state, but scientists predict they'll make an appearance again this summer.

According to Kaufman and his team one good thing about these mosquitoes is that they aren't known to carry any viruses that could be harmful to humans.

Still people who enjoy the outdoors are not looking forward to the insects.

"That kind of makes the summer not that exciting. I'm not looking forward to that anymore," said Stephanie McNatt.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: florida; gallinippers; mosquito; mosquitoes
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-43 next last
To: Stoat

The largest bloodsucking pests in the country infest Washington DC. And they don’t just stay for the summer.


21 posted on 03/06/2013 7:27:16 AM PST by OrangeHoof (Our economy won't heal until one particular black man is unemployed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Stoat

Oh, I thought you said “Mega Mosques”. And that you could protect yourself with deet.

Nevermind.


22 posted on 03/06/2013 7:30:05 AM PST by Hardraade (http://junipersec.wordpress.com (Vendetta))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bob
No mention of climate change being the cause? I’m surprised.

Climate change has nothing to do with it. This year, the blame goes to the sequester.
We were warned there would be locusts, famine, and fire. Why didn't we listen? Why? WHY?

(yeah. sarcism)

23 posted on 03/06/2013 7:31:29 AM PST by concerned about politics ("Get thee behind me, Liberal")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator
Monty Python - Mosquito Hunters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKlkD-D20OI

Thank you so much!  I had just been looking for that after you posted your pic. Sincerely appreciated  :-)

24 posted on 03/06/2013 7:33:02 AM PST by Stoat (If you want a vision of the future, imagine a Birkenstock stamping on a human face... forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: chaosagent

http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/bugasalt-fly-bug-salt-gun-p-2877.html


25 posted on 03/06/2013 7:35:48 AM PST by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Stoat
Read this. I think what they are reporting is a member of the Asian Tiger Mosquito family..
26 posted on 03/06/2013 7:35:48 AM PST by Yosemitest (It's Simple ! Fight, ... or Die !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: moovova
Blood suckers?

Obviously, Democrat mosquitoes.

Given that their larvae can hide in the mud or in animal manure for decades, only to be released during a storm, I'd wish to suggest that these may actually be full-blown Commie mosquitoes, not merely everyday Democrat ones....although the differences between them are becoming less distinct with every passing day.

27 posted on 03/06/2013 7:36:52 AM PST by Stoat (If you want a vision of the future, imagine a Birkenstock stamping on a human face... forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Stoat

In that picture above, is that thing really biting through a leather boot?


28 posted on 03/06/2013 7:37:08 AM PST by VanShuyten ("a shadow...draped nobly in the folds of a gorgeous eloquence.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cuban leaf
Here's a photo of a "mega mosquito", a dime, and a regular skeeter for comparison: Pretty good sized.
29 posted on 03/06/2013 7:37:24 AM PST by AnAmericanAbroad (It's all bread and circuses for the future prey of the Morlocks.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: AnAmericanAbroad

Yep. Kinda like a horse fly. Based on what I saw in the article I was assuming more like a Sparrow.

Thanks for the photo.


30 posted on 03/06/2013 7:39:16 AM PST by cuban leaf (Were doomed! Details at eleven.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: cuban leaf

Apparently 20 times the mass. 20 times the length would be the size of a rat.


31 posted on 03/06/2013 7:49:18 AM PST by dangus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Stoat

32 posted on 03/06/2013 7:50:28 AM PST by null and void (Gun confiscation enables tyranny. Don't enable tyranny.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sunny48

Darn you.


33 posted on 03/06/2013 7:55:01 AM PST by null and void (Gun confiscation enables tyranny. Don't enable tyranny.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: dangus

Apparently 20 times the mass. 20 times the length would be the size of a rat.


Yeah. “20 times bigger” sound a lot more interesting than “twice as long”. ;-)


34 posted on 03/06/2013 7:55:32 AM PST by cuban leaf (Were doomed! Details at eleven.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Stoat
Entomologists at the University of Florida say the mosquitoes are 20 times the size of a typical mosquito

Can't they divert them, oh say to, Tallahassee?

35 posted on 03/06/2013 7:56:57 AM PST by dfwgator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

These animals (skeeters) are the origin of the term Skeet.

Call Obama as he is an expert at shooting them. I’m sure he would jump at a chance to shoot live skeeter after practicing so much on skeet dummies.


36 posted on 03/06/2013 7:58:43 AM PST by Rio (Tempis Fugit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Stoat
Sounds to me like UF's entomologists are a bunch of yankees who don't know squat about skeeters in the Sunshine State.

These are what we natives refer to as 'gallon eaters', and they've been around since forever around these parts.

Click the Florida state flag for pro-gun resources!

37 posted on 03/06/2013 8:01:35 AM PST by Joe Brower (The "American People" are no longer capable of self-governance.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eric in the Ozarks

I spent a week in Minnesota one day, and the mosquitoes I saw could stand flat footed in a ditch and screw a turkey.


38 posted on 03/06/2013 8:02:49 AM PST by csmusaret (I will give Obama credit for one thing- he is living proof that familiarity breeds contempt.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: csmusaret

Drive north on I-35 to the last exit in Iowa; no mosquitoes.
Pull off at the first exit in Minnesota; they’re waiting for you...


39 posted on 03/06/2013 8:32:12 AM PST by Eric in the Ozarks (NRA Life Member)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Stoat
Welll shoooot! ...just git on down to The Great Texas Mosquitoe Festival in Clute, Texas.


40 posted on 03/06/2013 8:57:07 AM PST by TexasCajun
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-43 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson