Field Guide to Venomous and Medically Important Invertebrates ...

of these genera play a secondary role in disease transmission to people, and they are primarily
annoyance biters.
Figure 189. Coquillettidia sp. larvae. Photo: Richard C. Russell.
Figure 190. Coquillettidia linealis adult. Photo: Richard C. Russell.
Figure 191. Mansonia adult. Photo: Richard C. Russell.
Immature stages of mosquitoes are best controlled with larvicides applied to the source water,
and habitat management, although these may not be practical options during military operations.
Adults can be controlled by applying residual insecticides to harborages, aerial application of
pesticides for wide area treatment. Personal protection methods such as avoidance, treating
screens, bednets, and uniforms with permethrin, and using repellents such as DEET help reduce
attacks by mosquitoes.
Biting midges (Family Ceratopogonidae)
Members of the Family Ceratopogonidae are commonly known as punkies, no-see-ums, or biting
midges. These small (0.08-0.12 inch, or 2-3 mm) flies can be serious annoyance pests and in
some areas they present a significant threat as disease vectors. Because of their small size, they
can easily pass through window screens and standard mosquito netting. Although most
ceratopogonids are ectoparasistes of other insects, the females of some genera, such as
Culicoides (~1000 species) and Leptoconops (~90 species), will take a blood meal from
humans. Ceratopogonids are painful biters, and they often cause localized reactions that may