Wetlands can be fertile ground for no one to see.
Many people don’t know what an invisible one looks like due to its small size, but if someone bites it, it’s hard not to notice. The insect is a bloodsucker many times smaller than a mosquito, but with a conversely more painful bite. The bite causes a large welt that can irritate the skin for several days, causing intense itching. It is small enough to fit through window screens, making it a nuisance to people and pets.
Those not often seen live around discarded tires.
The scientific name of the one not seen is Ceratopogonidae, but it has accumulated many common names. These include the sand flea, the sand fly, the midge, and the punk or punk. Common on beaches, swamps, streams, and lakes, the insect is said to be found within 107 meters of its breeding ground. So if people are attacked at a campground, picnic, or beach, moving a short distance can be a relief.
Not seeing them is a common problem at picnics.
The unseen one lays its eggs in standing water, where the larvae hatch to feed on dead vegetation. Within a few days, the larva pupates, then becomes an adult, and leaves the nesting site in search of food. The insect is most active at dawn and dusk, and people unlucky enough to walk through a dark swarm of these insects may fly into their eyes, ears, nose, or mouth.
A midge is much larger than a midge, but its bite doesn’t compare.
Like the mosquito, only the female needs protein-rich food to lay eggs. When one pierces the meat, they inject a liquid that thins the blood to prevent it from clotting, causing irritation and activating the body’s immune system. Many species are found in Alaska, Florida, the southern states of the United States, and coastal California, although they can be found anywhere conditions are ideal. The best way for people to protect themselves from their bite is to stay away from breeding sites and empty standing water from garden decorations, empty flower pots, or discarded tires. Insect repellant that contains DEET will also help repel this little predator.