Mosquitos (Homer: moving, tree, areas)

[Inquisitive2475]

Hi, I have heard scarey descriptions about the mosquitos in AK, are they truly so large in size and number. If so... is this everywhere or just certain areas of the state? Certain times of the year?

Thanks for any input.

[Rance]

In my area (southcentral) the first batch in spring can be quite large, but slow moving and easy to swat. As summer progresses they tend to be smaller...but much faster and harder to hit. The worst is this time of year when the whitesox and no-seeum's are out in full force. I think I inhaled a couple the other day.

[Glitch]

The largest Alaskan mosquito is the Snow Mosquito (Culiseta Alaskaensis), which overwinters as an adult under the snow, usually in leaf litter, beneath loose tree bark, or in dead tree stumps. This is the first species to emerge each spring, usually from mid- to late April.

Many insects, including mosquitoes, survive temperatures below freezing in Alaska. This freezing tolerance is accomplished by two different biochemical processes. In the first process, the insect's body water is replaced by glycerol, a type of carbohydrate, which acts as an antifreeze and keeps the body cells from rupturing when temperatures reach the freezing point. In the second process, called "supercooling," the insect's body temperature is lowered below the freezing point without its fluids solidifying.

See Biology of an Alaskan Mosquito, Culiseta Alaskaensis (http://www.mosquitocatalog.org/pdfs/044800-1.PDF - broken link)

[Arcticthaw]

Mosquitos are everywhere, and usually in great numbers in the woods and out lying areas around towns and cities.

As for size..... well I haven't actually seen one carry off a small dog yet. Though eagles get tourist dogs occasionally down Homer way.

[Inquisitive2475]

Thank you all for your input, I appreciate it very much!