This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Brain Teaser Question
Which of these does not belong in a group with the others?
(A) Spider
(B) Tick
(C) Flea
(D) Scorpion
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
One of nature’s biggest menaces in the insect world is the blood-sucking mosquito.
Here are some interesting facts about the mosquito:
- Color: Brown, golden-brown, or black.
- Habitat: Quiet bodies of water, from fluid-filled leaves to stagnant ponds.
- Diet: Plant nectar, honeydew, and blood.
The life cycle of a mosquito begins when a female lays eggs in water. Larvae grow to half an inch, feeding on algae and bacteria. They mature and emerge as hungry adults.
The female mosquito is a quick eater. She lands on a animal (such as a human), stabs her needle-sharp proboscis into the skin, and draws out blood. She spits back up a small bit into the wound, causing it to itch.
There are approximately 200 species of mosquitoes in the United States. Only about 12 actually carry germs and make people sick. Most species are more of a bother than anything else, and are labeled as nuisance mosquitoes.
One species of mosquito may actually do more good than harm. The Elephant Mosquito has a sapphire-blue and silver-stripped body. It pollinates flowers at night, and its larvae feed on other dangerous species.
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
(C) Flea
A flea is an insect, and the other three are arachnids.
Big Sky Buckeye 
Whoops! The tick tricked me. I’ve always thought of them as insects, but as I just was reminded, they’re not!
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Linda, thanks for taking a shot. I missed it as well. Beautiful, early spring day here!
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Hurray! I got the trivia answer! I’m not a fan of mosquitos no matter what kind they are. My husband jokes that I am his bug repellant because whenever I am around he doesn’t get bites. They are feasting on me instead. I’ve always wondered why?
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Congratulations on solving the trivia answer! I like your husband’s sense of humor. I saw a mosquito the other outside by the door. I guess it didn’t check the calendar.
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Good info on Mosquitos
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Thanks you Jim. I learned a few things as well about them.
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Very interesting! I had no idea that there are 200 species of mosquitoes in the USA – and I was amazed to learn they spit back in some of the blood they suck out – and that causes the itch. Fascinating! Also didn’t know about a variety of mosquito that is a pollinator. I thought they ALL were just nuisances!
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Jan, thanks for sharing. I, too, think of mosquitoes as just plain nuisances. Believe it or not, I saw one hanging out by our door the other morning. I think this one had arrived on the wrong calendar page.
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Hah! Wrong page indeed! Too soon!!
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