Snow Mosquitoes, Midge Mosquitoes, and Water Mosquitoes… are types of mosquitoes that do not bite humans but are often mistakenly “slaughtered” by people.
Did you know that not all mosquitoes bite, and typically only female mosquitoes enjoy sucking blood while male mosquitoes prefer feeding on nectar, just like bees and butterflies? Below are some mosquito species that do not bite humans but are frequently… mistakenly “squashed” by humans.
1. Snow Mosquito
Despite being called a mosquito, they actually belong to a group of insects that do not enjoy sucking human blood. Snow mosquitoes have very fragile growth, sometimes feeding on the larvae of other mosquito species, or they may survive almost entirely by drinking water found in ice and snow. This is why scientists have given them the beautiful name – Snow Mosquito.
Snow mosquitoes grow, mate to continue their species, and die very quietly. The average size of this insect ranges from 2-60mm, but some individuals of snow mosquitoes have been found with wingspan up to 10cm, which is why they are often mistaken for giant mosquitoes.
One characteristic that distinguishes snow mosquitoes from biting mosquitoes is that they have smooth wings without fringes. Additionally, when resting, their bodies are always straight rather than bent like typical mosquitoes.
2. Midge Mosquito
To the naked eye, Midge mosquitoes look very similar to the annoying mosquitoes that bite us daily; however, Midge mosquitoes do not bite people and do not transmit diseases.
Midge mosquitoes tend to live in swarms and are extremely attracted to light, especially the light of… insect trap lamps. You may not know this, but most of the mosquitoes you see sacrificed in mosquito traps are Midge mosquitoes, and they are completely harmless to us.
The distinguishing feature of this mosquito species is its relatively short wings, which do not cover its entire body. Also, it lacks a proboscis – a clear evidence that it does not bite.
Similar to snow mosquitoes, Midge mosquitoes’ wings do not have outer fringes and patterns; when resting, their bodies lie straight, with the thorax touching the flat surface they are on, not forming a sharp angle like biting mosquitoes.
3. Water Mosquito
In its larval stage, the scientifically named Pontomyia mosquito lives hidden in stagnant saltwater areas, feeding on algae and decaying wood. This is also the only insect species on the planet that can thrive in saltwater.
Upon reaching maturity, male water mosquitoes move across the water’s surface by standing upright on their hind legs and using their front legs like tiny paddles to glide forward.
Female water mosquitoes do not even have wings or legs; they simply float on the water’s surface, waiting for male mosquitoes to carry them away. When we see a pair of water mosquitoes gliding across the water, this is the moment they are joyfully engaged in their courtship dance known as… mating to continue their species.
4. Culiseta Mosquito
This mosquito species has the ability to adapt to cold environments and only appears during the colder periods of the year. The larvae of Culiseta mosquitoes are often found in marshes, ponds, and ditches, but some Culiseta species in Africa lay their eggs in tree hollows. This mosquito is found all over the world but cannot withstand the temperatures and environment of South America.
Culiseta never lives or feeds in swarms, and like other mosquito species, male Culiseta mosquitoes do not suck blood but only feed on nectar, while females do not bite humans but are interested in parasitizing birds and reptiles.
After a hearty meal, female Culiseta mosquitoes will fly off to find a suitable place to lay eggs; each time they reproduce, female Culiseta can lay up to 300 eggs, and they will wander around, dispersing their offspring within a radius of about 100km from their original egg-laying site.
