What kind of insect is a mosquito that makes mosquito columns? Really not a mosquito?
- Others
- 2018/05/01
A "mosquito column" that is made up of a myriad of small insects, as if it were a pillar, such as at sunset in summer. As the name suggests, mosquito I wonder if it is ... Chironomid Did you know that is often the case? We approach the difference and ecology of mosquitoes and chironomids, and the mystery we do not know!
What is the difference between “mosquitoes” and “midges” that look exactly the same?
Where and when they mainly occur.
Mosquitoes and chironomids that are hard to identify. Especially among mosquitoes Acaieca And looks exactly like Although the name includes "red", the body color is brown or grayish brown. Although slightly different depending on the type, chironomis have a similar color.
The biggest difference between these two types of insects is whether they suck or not. Whereas female mosquitoes feed on blood mainly during the spawning season, adult chironomids do not suck on both males and females. On the contrary, most species of chironomids can't feed and die in just a few days due to degenerate mouth organs. The chironomid belonging to the Chironomidae of the order Fly is a different insect from the mosquito of the mosquito of the order Fly. It is often mistaken for a mosquito and is beaten, but scale powder (dark powder) does not stick to the palm like a mosquito.
If you look closely, you can tell how to stop. Akaieka has a long hind leg and raises it to stand still. Yusurika has long front legs and stretches out before standing still. Also, if you are looking for street lights and indoor lighting, there is a high possibility of chironomids that have the habit of gathering in the light.
The chief habitat of chironomids is near lakes and rivers. In addition, it can be seen in various places such as parks, schools, restaurants, and the entrance of ordinary households. Adults emerge from early summer to late autumn. Many people have seen large groups of small insects, "mosquito columns," such as at dusk. There are many things that can be done just above the head of a person, so some people call them "headworms" or "brainworms".
Why "mosquito pillars" can be created in the first place?
Mosquitoes are composed of dozens or hundreds of midges. Did you know that most of them are only males (male)? There are only a few females at most, if any.
Even a trivial feather in a single animal, if you gather several hundred, it will be a good sound volume. The males gather together to make their own humming noises, appealing to their females who basically tend to act alone. Yes, the mosquito column is an important “meeting place” for chironomid.
During the breeding season, a single female jumps into a mosquito column, finds a mating partner, mates, and lays eggs. Once you find the mosquito column, the chironomid's female is in an overwhelmingly advantageous situation and will be tied to her fate partner.
Chironomids are usually laid down in water in chunks called egg masses. Its shape can be spherical or string-like. Also, the number of eggs varies depending on the type. For example, it is estimated that about 500 Sesuji-suzuka produce at a time and about 2,000 Suzume-suzuka can produce. As with other fly eyes, they turn from eggs to larvae, and then to adults through pupae (pupae). By the way, the period of the pupa is from several hours to several days. After that, they can only live for a few days when they become adults.
It is an annoying mosquito column, but if you regard it as a collection of males of chironomid struggling to connect ephemeral life, some people may feel a little less uncomfortable. However, unfortunately, Yusurika has one aspect that cannot be described as harmless.
What is one of the troublesome aspects of non-sticking midges?
Was the "biwako-mushi", which occurs in large numbers, actually a chironomid?
Although it does not bite human skin like a mosquito and sucks blood, it cannot be said to be harmless to humans. Occasionally, it may cause contamination of factories, or if you inhale allergen carcass or its powder, you may cause chironomid asthma. It also has an annoying side. In addition, it is an annoying insect that can cause soiling if the laundry is crushed.
In recent years, the true nature of "Biwako-mushi", which has become a problem in large quantities around Lake Biwa, the largest area in Japan, is actually a chironomid. Giant chironomies with a body length of more than 1 cm breed in large numbers and are often featured in the news. If you live nearby, you may have given up, "Is this season coming again?" Depending on the year, it may occur in large numbers, not so much compared to the whole year, and the amount of occurrence will vary, but it is no exaggeration to say that it is becoming a "feminine feature" anymore.
One of the possible causes of the mass outbreak is the proliferation of plankton due to an increase in the concentration of Fertilizer in lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. This upsets the balance of the ecosystem and can also affect the reproduction of chironomids.
The midge larva is a red worm familiar to fishing lovers.
One side that is useful for human life.
Chironomidae has other names such as "headworm", "brainworm", and "biwako", but when it is a larva, there is also a type called "red worm" (akamushi) or "red fox". By the way, the body color of the larva is red because it has hemoglobin which is also contained in human blood.
Red larvae such as giant lily and akamushi chirika are often used as fish feed, so if you are a fishing enthusiast or have a tropical fish, you may be familiar. Fish species that feed on midge larvae and pupae are also widely used and also play a role as feed.
In addition, red larvae, larvae of chironomids, eat large amounts of organic matter in the bottom mud and become adults, and go out of the water area, bringing out organic matter in the water. Playing a role. It is also true that insects are indispensable for maintaining good water and soil conditions.
In this way, in the larva era, chironomids have potential as "beneficial insects" in a sense. When it comes to adulthood, it begins to work as a "nuisance" as soon as possible, but it is a matter of deciding whether to give up just because it is a few days of life or to exterminate because it is harmful ... Knowing the good and bad aspects of chironomies may be your judgement. Introducing the deep and mysterious insect "Yusurika", which has both troublesome insects and one aspect that can not be cleared up in one word.
Even if you try to shake them off to escape from the group, they will persistently chase you, and you will be called a "swarm of mosquitoes." Even if you know that chironomids do not suck blood, and even if they are useful to humans, they are still a nuisance when they multiply in large numbers. Also, if they get on your laundry and you accidentally crush them, they will get dirty and become a problem. They are attracted to light, so one solution is to use blackout curtains. If that doesn't work, why not try using Pest Control can exterminate and kill chironomids?
