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 Post subject: Super-Size Mosquitoes?
PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 11:51 am 
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Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2004 11:47 am
Posts: 2
I don't know what to call these things, but they look like mosquitoes maybe. They always show up this time of the Spring. This year they are all over and very annoying. What are they? Do they cause problems besides annoyances? Are they beneficial at all (would really like to get rid of them)? How do I get rid of them?


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 Post subject: mosquitoes
PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 6:22 pm 
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Joined: Sat May 10, 2003 5:48 pm
Posts: 806
Location: Weatherford,TX
Since I haven't seen them, my best guess is that they are male mosquitoes. They don't bite; watch out for the females. They are the small, bloodsucking ones.

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 Post subject: giant mosquitoes
PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 6:54 pm 
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Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2003 4:36 pm
Posts: 56
Location: Robinson,TEXAS
Jim, I think what you may be seeing are called mayflies. They are very fragile and as far as I know do not bother anything. Just get in the way.
Richard Spitzer


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 10:08 pm 
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Joined: Tue May 20, 2003 4:33 pm
Posts: 526
Location: parker county, texas
They are crane flies, and are harmless as far as I know. You don't see many mayflies, and usually only see them near rivers, ponds or streams.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 4:44 pm 
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Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 3:53 pm
Posts: 291
Location: Dallas,TX
Thanks so much.. now I know too! They are a bigger hassle this year than last. I put it down to all the rain we have had.

See here for all you need to know:
http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/crane_fly.htm

Image

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 3:40 pm 
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Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2003 3:45 pm
Posts: 2884
Location: San Antonio,TEXAS
My understanding is the cranefly larva eat grass, but not enough to make a big issue out of.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 8:28 pm 
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Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2004 11:47 am
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Yeah, I think this is the one, but I don't see any standing or even moderately flowing water around here. Could be the land variety. Looked on that website for predators, I don't see how I can attract bats or ducks to a very suburban area of far east Dallas. I can wait for them to die out for the year.
Thanks for the info!


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 3:59 pm 
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Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 3:53 pm
Posts: 291
Location: Dallas,TX
jim10040 wrote:
Yeah, I think this is the one, but I don't see any standing or even moderately flowing water around here. Could be the land variety. Looked on that website for predators, I don't see how I can attract bats or ducks to a very suburban area of far east Dallas. I can wait for them to die out for the year.
Thanks for the info!


In east and far east Dallas, I know about White Rock Lake and all the creeks/spillways around it, plus the lake and creeks at Rockwall and its surrounding marshland.

I think they probably know about them too. :wink:

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 5:28 pm 
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Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2003 11:17 am
Posts: 315
Location: Dallas,TEXAS
Awesome macro-shot Bill! 8)

Jim, as for bats, you'd be suprised. I live in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas and I've seen a few bats from my backyard a few times in the past 2 years. There are plenty of places around here that sell houses for them. I think Rhodes carries some, but others here on the forum are more knowledgeable about them than I am.

And yes, these craneflies (what I've always called mayflies) do seem to be particularly thick this year.. or maybe I'm becoming more aware of things I've never bothered noticing before. :oops:

~Dave


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 5:45 pm 
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Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 3:53 pm
Posts: 291
Location: Dallas,TX
dcluck wrote:
Awesome macro-shot Bill! 8)
~Dave


Thanks... but I can't take credit for it -- it's from that linked site.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 8:47 pm 
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Joined: Tue May 20, 2003 4:33 pm
Posts: 526
Location: parker county, texas
Craneflies and Mayflies aren't the same thing. Mayflies are a very pre-historic insect that lives most of it life span in the water, similar to dragonflies. If I remember correctly, Mayfly larvae live in the water for up to two years, then spend just a couple of days being airborne before they breed and die. If you look at a Mayfly from the side, it has wings that it holds straight up that have an arched shape. It also has what looks like long antennae sticking out from the rear. If I can find a photo, I'll try to post it.


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