Some insects/imposters commonly mistaken as mosquitoes in our area include:
Midges |
| A midge is a small fly, often mistaken as a mosquito. |
| Midges often live and breed around water sources containing lots of vegetation. You may find them in "swarms" in nearby areas. |
Gnats |
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Photo credit: Johnny N. Dell, Bugwood.org. A gnat is a small flying insect, often mistaken |
| What differentiates gnats from mosquitoes is the lack of proboscis, the mouth-parts a mosquito uses. |
Crane Flies |
| A crane fly is often known as a Mosquito Eater, but this insect does not eat mosquitoes. It is actually harmless to people, as another non-biting flying insect. |
| They can be as big as a silver dollar, and are often described as "The Biggest Mosquito I've Ever Seen!" |
No-See-Ums / Sand Flies |
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Photo credit: James Gathany, phil.cdc.gov/. A sand fly, or no-see-um, is a biting insect |
| These flying insects lay their eggs in muddy clay, and usually hatch when the mud dries and cracks. |
Leafhoppers |
| A leafhopper is an insect often found in a yard or garden. Adult leafhoppers are capable of biting humans, but they are actually plant feeders. |
| These insects can really do a number on a garden or yard, so landscapers are likely not their biggest fans. |