Philippine Association of Medical Entomologists PAME

BEE VS WASP

Identifying bees and wasps can be quite fascinating!

Here are some key differences and characteristics to help you distinguish between the Bees & Wasps:

Bees:

Appearance: Bees generally have a plump, hairy body which helps them collect pollen. They are often yellow, brown, or black.

Behavior: Most bees are not aggressive and will only sting if provoked. Honeybees can only sting once, as they die afterward.

Common Types:
1. Honeybee (Apis mellifera): Known for producing honey and living in large colonies.
2. Bumblebee (Bombus spp.): Larger and fuzzier, often seen in gardens.
3. Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa spp.): Resemble bumblebees but have a shiny, hairless abdomen.
Wasps:

Appearance: Wasps have a slender, smooth body with a narrow waist. They are usually brightly colored with black and yellow bands.

Behavior: Wasps can be more aggressive and can sting multiple times. They are often predators or scavengers.

Common Types:
1. Yellowjacket (Vespula spp.): Known for their aggressive behavior, especially in late summer.
2. Paper Wasp (Polistes spp.): Recognizable by their long legs and umbrella-shaped nests.
3. Hornet (Vespa spp.): Larger than other wasps, with a more painful sting.

Key Differences Between Bees & Wasps:

1. Body Shape: Bees are generally rounder and hairier, while wasps are more slender and smooth.

2. Sting: Bees can sting once, whereas wasps can sting multiple times.

3. Nesting: Bees often nest in hives or ground burrows, while wasps build paper-like nests in sheltered areas.

MAPECON GENSAN INC. IN COOPERATION WITH THE ROTARY CLUB DENGUE UPDATE

This is the Dengue Operation Update conducted by MAPECON GenSan Inc. in cooperation with Uptown General Santos City Rotary Club in General Santos City as of Saturday, August 24, 2024.

M5&A PEST MANAGEMENT SERVICES DENGUE UPDATE

This is the Dengue Operation Update conducted by our partner, M5&A Pest Management Services in Barangay 735 with P/B Alfredo B. Tan & Barangay Council as of Friday, August 23, 2024.

J.E.M. PEST MANAGEMENT SERVICES DENGUE UPDATE.

This is the Dengue Operation Update conducted by our partner, J.E.M Pest Management Services in Luis Y. Ferrer Jr West National High School, Pasong Kawayan 2, General Trias, Cavite as of Friday, August 23, 2024.

SEMINAR ON URBAN PEST MANAGEMENT DESIGNED FOR CERTIFIED PESTICIDE APPLICATORS HELD

We held our face to face seminar on Urban Pest Management Designed For Certified Pesticide Applicators on August 21-23, 2024 with 13 participants coming from Entotox Public Health, Qatar Co LLC, MPM3 Pest Control Services, Psalm 23 Pest Control Services, JG Morales Construction, Happy Chef, Inc., CMZ Pest Control Services, Northbreeze Pest Control Services, Anytime Cleaners Corporation, Northwestern University and Solits Pesticides Trading.

Participants were limited.

Mr. Roque G. Tibor, Jr., RA, who was also a Safety Officer (SO) and a Pollution Control Officer (PCO) handled the Training Program and was being assisted by Mr. Marlon Jolampong, NCUPC Technical Staff.

TERMITE SWARMS: SUCCESS OR FAILURE

On the onset of rainy season (late April to August), termites are swarming, mating or pairing.

It is a strategy used by these insects to disperse and form new, geographically disparate colonies or mounds.

Few of them have successfully paired and dropped on soil, looked for cracks and started their new colonies or mounds.

Many that cannot paired successfully die.

MOSQUITO HAWKS

Dragonflies, often called 'Mosquito hawks' are fierce predator of mosquitoes. A single dragonfly can eat dozens to hundreds of mosquito daily. Their nymphs, known as Naiads, feed on mosquito larvae (wrigglers) in the water.

IWAS LEPTODPIROSIS

1. Ugaliing itapon ang basura sa tamang tapunan.

- Karaniwang nasa madudumi o maraming basura naninirahan ang mga daga na nagdudulot ng sakit na leptospirosis.

2. Panatilihin ang kalinisan sa bahay at alisin ang mga maaaring pamahayan ng mga daga at iba pang peste.

- Mas mapo-protektahan ang inyong pamilya laban sa leptospirosis kung malinis at maayos ang inyong tahanan para hindi pamugaran ng mga peste.

3. Gumamit ng bota sa tuwing lulusong sa baha kung kinakailangang lumabas ng bahay.

- Kung bahain ang inyong lugar ay siguraduhing may bota upang maging proteksyon lalo kung may sugat sa paa hanggang tuhod panlaban sa sakit na leptospirosis.

4. Hugasang maigi ng malinis na tubig ang parte ng katawan na inilusong.

- Siguruhing malinis na malinis ang parte ng katawan na inilusong upang maiwasan ang impeksyon at sakit. Ayaw nating magkasakit, magastos at nakakatakot.

5. Kung hindi maiiwasang ma-expose sa baha uminom ng DOXYCYCLINE matapos ang paglusong.

- Magpakonsulta sa doktor para sa pag-inom ng gamot na ito dahil hindi ito maaaring inumin basta kung ikaw ay buntis, nagpapa-breast feed, pati sa mga batang walong taon pababa.

MAPECON PHILIPPINES, INC. IN COOPERATION WITH THE PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL FUMIGATORS, INC. (PAPFI) DENGUE UPDATE

This is the Dengue Operation Update conducted by MAPECON Philippines, Inc. in cooperation with the Philippine Association Of Professional Fumigators, Inc. (PAPFI) in Alabang, Muntinlupa City as of Monday, August 5, 2024.

MESSAGE OF VP SARA Z. DUTERTE

The message of the Vice President Sara Z. Duterte on the 28th National Urban Pest Control Week on September 23, 2024.

TRAP-DOOR SPIDER

The name trapdoor is derived from the way these spiders close the entrance to their burrows with tightly fitted hinged doors of silk.

Members of the Family Ctenizidae are sometimes referred to as the true Trapdoor spiders.

The Trapdoor spiders are the most widespread of the Suborder Mygalomorphae, which also includes the Tarantulas.

Most Trapdoor spiders inhabit tropical regions throughout the world. Some species are common in the southern and western United States, and a few are seen in southern Europe.

They occupy a range of habitats from shady riverbanks to open desert, often preferring steep slopes and loose or sandy soil.

Trapdoor spiders are stocky creatures with short, thick legs. Their bodies are somewhat shiny and sparsely covered with hairs. Adults range from about 0.4 to 1.5 inches (1 to 4 centimeters) in body length. Coloration ranges from yellowish brown to reddish brown to black.

Their eight eyes are close together, with a pair in the middle and three on each side. Like all tarantulas and their allies, the trapdoor spider has powerful jaws and large fangs that move up and down so that they strike with a downward stab. Each of their jaws, or chelicerae, is equipped with a rakelike series of spines called a rastellum, which is used for digging the burrow.

To dig its burrow, the Trapdoor spider lifts the soil with its jaws, rolls the soil into a ball, and tosses the ball out with its hindmost pair of legs. The burrow measures up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) deep.

Many variations exist in the design of the burrows. Spiders of the Genus Ummidia (Family Ctenizidae), which inhabit the southeastern United States, dig simple tubes. Aptostichus spiders (Family Cyrtaucheniidae), found in the deserts of California, construct a side chamber that they close off from the main burrow with a door. The Wishbone spiders, Aname (Family Nemesiidae), which live in Australia, create branched tunnels, each with its own exit to the surface.

In constructing its nest, the Trapdoor spider first coats the walls of its burrow with a waterproof mixture of soil and saliva. It then lines all or part of the walls with silk. It continues laying down silk until the entrance hole is sealed. It then cuts through the silk to create a circular door flush with the ground, leaving one small part attached to form a silken hinge.

Trapdoor spiders that construct branching burrows usually spin a thin wafer of silk for their door, while those that construct simple burrows usually build a thick plug, like a cork, out of layers of silk and soil. Regardless of whether the burrow is simple or branching, the last step in the building process is the same: camouflaging the outside of the door by affixing bits of debris to its surface.

The Trapdoor spider feeds on crawling insects and other arthropods, including spiders, and may even consume small vertebrates. It waits for a meal behind the closed trapdoor, or sits with the door slightly ajar and its front legs extended.

Sensitive hairs on its legs feel the vibrations of approaching prey. Some Australian spiders such as Aganippe and Anidiops (both are members of the Family Idiopidae) also affix twigs or grasses to the rim of the door to pick up vibrations from a greater distance.

When the potential prey crawls within range, the spider pops out of its burrow, seizes the prey with its fangs, and pulls the victim into the burrow to be consumed. If the prey proves unpalatable, the spider tosses it out alive.

Trapdoor spiders themselves have a variety of predators.

Birds pluck them from the burrow entrances, while the Australian bandicoot and other mammals dig them out.

Centipedes and scorpions pursue them into the burrow.

The female of certain Pompilid wasps can detect the spider’s burrow and chew through the door. The wasp then immobilizes the spider with a sting and lays her eggs on its abdomen. When the grub, or larva, hatches, it gradually devours the living but helpless spider.

When a Trapdoor spider senses danger, it retreats into its burrow. Spiders with corklike doors cling to the inside with their claws or fangs, fiercely resisting attempts to pry it open.

Trapdoor spiders are solitary, passing most of their lives alone in their burrows.

When a male matures, he leaves his burrow to search for a female, probably using chemical cues to find a mate. The males of some species drum on the ground in front of the female. If the female accepts him, the male enters the burrow and they mate inside. The female encloses her eggs in a silken sac, which she hangs on a wall. She guards the sac until the spiderlings hatch. They remain with her for several weeks then leave to construct their own small burrows, which they enlarge as they mature.

Males usually die shortly after mating; females may live more than 12 years.

The nearest relatives of the true Trapdoor spiders are the purseweb spiders, which are classified in the family Atypidae. The folding-door spider family, Antrodiaetidae, was formerly classified in the same family as the true trapdoors before receiving their current classification.

CRICKET DELICACY OF THE NORTH

Mole crickets are prepared and cooked and serve as delicacy in the North.

FIGHT THE MOSQUITO BITE UPDATE

This is our Dengue Operations Update as of July 26, 2024.

ANT IDENTIFICATION CHART

Fire Ant

Summary – This is a tropical ant that has a painful and venomous sting.

Appearance – Fire ants have a dark abdomen with a copper/brown head. They have 3 pairs of legs and usually measure ⅛” to ¼” in length.

Nesting – Fire ants are usually discovered in in hollow areas of stone or moist areas in your garden. These ants nest in the ground and can feed on electric wires, clothing, crumbs, other insects and much more.

Warning – If you are stung by a fire ant you will likely experience swelling with a burning sensation. It is possible to experience severe reactions to their sting. They are aggressive and often sting multiple times when their nests are disrupted.

Argentine Ant

Summary – This is a ant that is known to travel to their destination through coffee ships.

Appearance – Argentine ants are a variety of colors which include dark brown, yellow and red. These ants vary in size.

Nesting – Argentine ants like to nest in organic, moist environments form ‘supercolonies’. Supercolonies consist of 100’s of queen ants. They will likely invade during a storm or similar weather conditions. This species can eat almost anything, sweet food such as sugar and syrup will attract them the most.

Warning – Argentine ants can invade your home or work environment fast. This species can mix with other types of ants and form their colonies together.

Black Ant

Summary – This is the most common type of ant.

Appearance – These ants are black with a basic structure. Black ants vary in size depending on the phenotype.

Nesting – Black ants tend to live outdoors but are also found in homes. They are attracted to sweet food such as honey.

Warning – This species of ant doesn’t cause any harm, but they can build large colonies in your home or workplace.

Carpenter Ant

Summary – This is a large ant that is usually found in forested parts of the world.

Appearance – Carpenter ants are black or brown with distinctive wings. Their wings are yellow with a cleft between them. These ants have a slim midsection and round thorax. This species of ant tends to be ⅜” to ½” in length.

Nesting – Carpenter ants like to burrow into wood to build their colonies. They like to nest in damp and rotten wood but can find a comfortable spot within your home and workplace..

Warning – The ants do not harm humans, but they can cause structural damage when forming their colonies.

Acrobat Ant

Summary – Also known as the ‘Saint Valentine’ ant and found worldwide.

Appearance – The acrobat ant can be a variety of colors including black, brown and red. These ants have the ability to change from brown to black very quickly. They are easy to identify due to their heart-shaped abdomen.

Nesting – These ants like to build their colonies in moist environments. They will look for areas with rotten wood whether this is inside or outside. Their colony consist of one queen and the rest of the ants are workers.

Warning – Also known as the predator species because they like to feed on dead insects, sweets, and proteins. They tend to build their colonies outside but will infest your home or workplace if they find a prime environment.

Ghost Ant

Summary – This is a tropical ant that travels via various goods that are being shipped.

Appearance – Ghost ants have dark heads and thoraxes. Their name is due to their pale abdomen and legs, making them difficult to see. These ants are about 1-2mm in size.

Nesting – They make very large colonies compared to the various other types of ants. Ghost ants tend to make their colonies in the ground, beside stone or on firewood piles. If you find ghost ants inside they will likely nest in flower pots on inside wall voids.

Warning – This species is also known as the predators because they like to feed on the dead insects.

Odorous Ant

Summary – A species of small ants, also known as a sugar ant, stink ant or coconut ant.

Appearance – Odorous ants will be dark black or brown in color and are very small. They have a single thorax and a distinctive smell.

Nesting – They can build their colonies inside electronic items, nests, cabinets, and trees. This is a tough species of ant as they can work in any condition, even if they have damaged limbs. You can avoid them invading your home by keeping your garbage in a separate area and keeping your home dry.

Warning – This species reproduces fast as long as they have access to food and water. This makes it easy for colonies to take over your home or workplace. If you crush one of these ants they leave a coconut smell which alerts the other ants in their colonies.

HOMEMADE STRATEGY FOR FLIES AND MOSQUITOES

Flies and mosquitoes will flee from your house with this easy homemade strategy.

What you need:

Used coffee grounds

Aluminum foil or an old metal container

A lighter or matches

How to do it:

1.Prepare the coffee grounds

After brewing coffee, let the grounds dry completely by spreading them out on aluminum foil or a baking sheet.

2.Set up your burn station

Choose a safe outdoor area like a patio. Ensure it's clear of flammable materials.

3. Place grounds in a container

Transfer the dried coffee grounds to a fireproof metal container or shape a bowl with aluminum foil.

4.Burn the coffee grounds

Use a match or lighter to ignite the coffee grounds. They will smolder slowly, releasing smoke that repels flies and mosquitoes.

5.Monitor the burn

Keep watch to ensure the burning grounds remain safe and controlled. The smoky aroma spreads naturally.

AVOID DENGUE/ CHIKUNGUNYA/ ZIKA AT HOME

It's rainy days, this is how to avoid the day-biting mosquitos at home! Here are 8 things to protect yourself and your loved ones from contracting Dengue/ Chikungunya/ Zika at home.

1. Keep your house clean and tidy.
2. Dispose your trash properly.
3. Clean and cover water containers.
4. Drain and clean your roof gutters.
5. Apply repellents on your body.
6. Put up insect screens at the doors and windows.
7. Wear protective clothing.
8. Spray insecticides around your home.

PLANTS AGAINT ANTS, SPIDERS, FLIES & MOSQUITOES

1. Lavender

Known for its strong fragrance which can repels mosquitoes, flies, and moths while adding beauty to your space.

2. Mint

Its refreshing scent that deters spiders, ants, and flies. Useful when placed near home entry points.

3. Citronella

Contains oils that are naturally repelled mosquitoes. Effective when planted around patios or used in oil form indoors.

4. Basil

Keeps flies and mosquitoes away, making it ideal for window sills or garden planting.

5. Rosemary

Its strong smell wards off mosquitoes and flies, perfect for both culinary and repellent uses.

6. Marigold

With a potent scent, it repels mosquitoes and some ant species, great for gardens or as potted plants.

MAKE YOUR OWN BAY LEAVES & CLOVES SPRAY

In a pot, combine 1 cup of water, 15 Bay leaves, and 20 Cloves.

Simmer for 10 minutes to release the scent.

Transfer the mixture to a spray container.

Use this spray in areas where cockroaches, flies, and mosquitoes are a problem.

FACTS ABOUT BEES & HONEY

Here are some interesting facts about the importance of honey and bees:

1. Honey never spoils. Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old and still perfectly edible!

2. Bees are essential for growing many of our foods. They pollinate about one-third of the food we eat, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

3. Honey has natural healing properties> It can help soothe sore throats and even speed up the healing of wounds and burns due to its antibacterial qualities.

4. Bees produce a tiny amount of honey in their lifetime. A single worker bee produces only about 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in her entire life, but together they make a lot!

5. Bees communicate through dancing. They perform a "waggle dance" to tell other bees where to find the best flowers.

6. Honey can help your brain. It contains antioxidants that may support brain health and improve memory.

7. Beeswax, made by bees, is used in many everyday products. It's found in things like candles, lip balm, and even some types of food packaging.

8. Honey can be a natural energy booster. It provides a quick source of energy because it's packed with natural sugars.

9. There are over 300 types of honey in the United States alone. The flavor, color, and aroma depend on the flowers that bees visit.

10. Beekeeping helps many communities around the world. It provides income, supports agriculture, and helps improve food security in many regions.

11. Honey can be used as a natural preservative. Because of its antibacterial properties, honey has been used to preserve fruits and other foods for centuries.

12. Some bees can recognize human faces. Studies have shown that honeybees can remember and recognize human faces, much like they remember different flowers.

13. Honey can improve your sleep. A spoonful of honey before bed can promote relaxation and better sleep by raising insulin slightly and allowing tryptophan to enter the brain.

14. Bees are colorblind to red. Bees can see ultraviolet light, which humans can't, but they can't see the color red. Instead, they see it as black.

15. Honey can help with seasonal allergies. Consuming local honey is believed by some to help build immunity to local pollen and reduce allergy symptoms.

16. Royal jelly, produced by worker bees, is fed to all bee larvae. However, only those destined to become queens are fed royal jelly throughout their development.

17. Honey has different medicinal uses in various cultures. For example, in Ayurvedic medicine, honey is used to treat digestive issues, and in ancient Egypt, it was used to treat wounds.

18. Bees have a built-in GPS. They use the position of the sun, the earth's magnetic field, and their own memories of landmarks to navigate and find their way back to the hive.

19. Honeybees are the only insects that produce food eaten by humans. They are unique in their production of honey, which has been a staple in human diets for thousands of years.

20. Honey can vary greatly in taste and texture. The type of flowers the bees pollinate affects the flavor, color, and texture of the honey. Some honey can even be creamy or spicy!

Thanks to Bees and Honey!

MESSAGE OF DILG SECRETARY ATTY. BENJAMIN C. ABALOS, JR.

The Message of the Department of the Interior And Local Government Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. on the celebration of the 28th National Urban Pest Control/ Zero Waste, Zero Pest Week on September 23-29, 2024.

MIDGES VS MOSQUITOES

Biting midges and mosquitoes are both flying, biting insects most of us prefer to stay far, far away from.

Because these pesky bugs tend to be so bothersome and unpleasant, many people tend to lump the two together as if they were the same animal. However, the two are quite distinct from one another despite belonging to the same taxonomic suborder and being somewhat closely related.

Even if you’re not a fan of midges and mosquitoes, it can be helpful to understand the differences between the two for your safety, as well as how to correctly identify and deal with them if you encounter them. Let’s take a brief look at both below and the traits they have in common, and more importantly, their four key differences.

Mosquitoes and Midges

Like we just touched on above, mosquitoes and midges are fairly closely related despite being very distinct insects. But before we get into the main four differences between these insects, it’ll help to get a brief overview of each and understand what characteristics they share first.

There are over 20,000 species worldwide. However, we’ll be focusing on the roughly 5,000 species of biting midges within the Ceratopogonidae family. More broadly speaking, they belong to the Diptera order of insects, which are known collectively as flies.
Biting midges are very small and short-lived. Though they mostly eat nectar, females feed on the blood of various species of animals just before laying eggs to get a boost of energy and protein. They have four sharp, serrated mouthparts housed within a tiny sheath ideal for piercing even the toughest and thickest animals’ skin. Their bites are notoriously itchy and painful despite their small size. They can also spread infectious diseases, primarily to livestock like horses, cattle, and sheep.

Mosquitoes also belong to the Diptera order, making them technically flies, too. They make up around 3,500 species within the Culicidae family. These small yet long, slender insects similarly have razor-sharp mouthparts that can pierce the skin of much larger animals, though theirs are long, hollow, and tube-like in the form of a proboscis.

Mosquitoes also primarily feed on nectar, but females require a blood meal to sustain themselves throughout the tiresome process of egg-laying. Just like midge bites, mosquito bites are itchy and painful. Mosquitoes can spread a wide range of diseases to both humans and animals alike with said bite.

Size and Overall Appearance

Now that we better understand what midges and mosquitoes are and how they’re alike, let’s take a closer look at their key differences. The first and most obvious at a glance is the two insects’ size and overall appearance. Even though they’re both very small, superficially similar flies that can be tricky to view up close, it’s still possible to differentiate them fairly easily by a few main traits.

Midges and mosquitoes differ most when it comes to their overall body size. While midges are tiny at just 1 to 3 millimeters long on average, mosquitoes are around twice that size at anywhere from 3 to 6 millimeters in length. Both, however, have very narrow, slender bodies that can look slightly wider if engorged with blood.
Another key trait that differentiates mosquitoes from midges is the length of their wings. Midges have short wings that, depending on the species, are just as long as or shorter than their entire body. Mosquitoes, on the other hand, have longer wings that usually extend past the length of their body.

Apart from their sizes and proportions, midges and mosquitoes also have very differently shaped and sized mouthparts. Mosquitoes have a long, hollow, tube-like proboscis that is positioned on the front and center of the head. On midges, no proboscis is present–instead, they have very short yet serrated, pincer-like mouthparts in a short, fleshy sheath.

Finally, it’s also worth mentioning that mosquitoes and midges position their legs differently when at rest. While mosquitoes raise their rear two legs in the air when resting, midges lift their front two legs upward instead.

Lifespan

The next key difference we’ll cover isn’t as obvious at a glance, but it’s still important to recognize, as it influences the insects’ behavior and how long they tend to stick around. Midges and mosquitoes have fairly similar, straightforward life cycles that progress from egg to pupa to larva and, finally, imago or adult. Their overall lifespans, however, can differ drastically.

While the lifespans of non-biting midges are incredibly short at just five to seven days or so, biting midges are much longer-lived by comparison at around two to six weeks at most. Both varieties of midges, though, generally only live just long enough to mate and lay eggs. As a result, the males have much shorter lifespans than the females, essentially existing to mate and die.

But mosquitoes can live for anywhere from just under a week to up to seven months. The exact length of a mosquito’s lifespan depends on the species, whether the mosquito is male or female, and the conditions in which it lives. Like midges, female mosquitoes live longer than males. Females with access to a steady supply of food can survive for several months. Although they only mate once, females can store s***m in their bodies for their entire lives, waiting for conditions to be ideal.

Swarming Behavior

Another very obvious difference between mosquitoes and midges is their behavior, or more specifically, how they move and interact with one another. Even though both insects are capable of forming swarms, the way they do so and the conditions in which they swarm are unique from one another.

In general, you’re more likely to see a midge swarm than a swarm of mosquitoes. This is because both non-biting and biting midges form large mating swarms, typically in the evening hours. These swarms are usually large groups of newly-hatched adult male midges attempting to attract female mates. These swarms emerge from the water as the midge pupae hatch together and rush to find a mate within their incredibly short lifespan. This also means more frequent swarms, as their life cycles move a lot faster than mosquitoes do.

Mosquito swarms, on the other hand, are usually much smaller, less centralized, and more difficult to see from a distance. They don’t tend to hatch from their pupa stage in massive groups quite like midges do. As a result, their swarms are far less dense and more spread apart. Mosquitoes also move more slowly in the air than midges. This means their swarms are much less speedy, chaotic, and frantic by comparison.

In short, you’d probably be able to spot a midge swarm even from a distance, but mosquito swarms aren’t as noticeable. Like midge swarms, though, mosquito swarms are made up of males seeking female mates.

Bite and Health Risks to Humans

Finally, let’s address the most unpleasant difference between midges and mosquitoes: their bites. Both biting midges and mosquitoes are capable of inflicting painful and itchy bites on their unfortunate victims. However, their bites and the symptoms associated with them are different. It’s also important to note that, unlike mosquitoes, biting midges thankfully do not spread diseases to humans.

As we touched on earlier, midges and mosquitoes have very differently-shaped mouthparts. Because of this, the bites they can deliver are also unique from one another. If you’re bitten by a biting midge, you’re going to notice it immediately. This is thanks to the midge’s four serrated, knife-like mouthparts piercing your skin. Many unfortunate victims describe the initial bite as a painful, burning sensation that eventually becomes itchy and irritated.
A mosquito bite, however, isn’t noticeable until minutes or even hours after the fact. This is due to the unique anesthetic and anticoagulant combo present in mosquito saliva. This essentially numbs the bite area and prevents your blood from clotting. This, in turn, allows the mosquito to gulp down as much of your blood as they please with their long, thin proboscis without you noticing–until it starts to itch later when that anesthetic wears off.

Mosquito bites don’t hurt at first, but they gradually become itchy and irritated after the mosquito’s saliva leaves your system. Midge bites, however, are initially very painful, though the pain dulls over time and becomes a more itchy sensation. But both insects’ bites usually appear as small, red bumps. These bumps can become more inflamed if you continue to scratch or irritate them.