Many different bugs can hide in the grass.
Grass can be home to several species of insects. From the tall grasses of meadows to the manicured lawns of urban neighborhoods, conditions are ideal for feeding, protecting and breeding insects. Mosquitoes, and other insects that resemble mosquitoes, can be found in grass, particularly if the grass is disturbed by cutting or simply walking through it. To determine the proper treatment for grass pests, identification of the insect is necessary. Does this Spark an idea?
Mosquitoes
These well-known and widely distributed pests belong to the insect order Diptera, meaning "two wings." Mosquitoes are responsible for millions of deaths worldwide because they are vectors of diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. Female mosquitoes require a blood meal to produce eggs, which are laid in standing water. Once hatched, the immature insects (larvae) remain just below the surface of the water, feeding on organic material. Male mosquitoes are not considered pests since they do not bite. They feed on plant fluids such as sap and nectar. Males have feathery antennae while females have only a few short hairs on their antennae. Grassy areas are common habitats for mosquitoes, especially if there is standing water in tree nooks or small pools nearby. Females can wait, protected in the grass, for animals or people to walk through, and males have an ample food supply within grasses.
Crane Flies
Crane flies can be found in grasses but do not bite.
Another group belonging to the order Diptera is the crane fly. These insects closely resemble mosquitoes but have extremely long legs. Crane flies can be up to 1 inch long and are light brown or gray in color. There are approximately 1,500 species in North America. Like mosquitoes, the larvae are aquatic. The adult crane fly feeds on decaying plant matter and does not bite people or animals.
Midges
There are several groups of midges within the Dipteran order. As with mosquitoes and crane flies, most immature midges are aquatic. Some groups are often seen in large swarms near water but do not bite. A few species, known as "punkies" or "biting midges," also resemble mosquitoes but are much smaller (about 1/8 inch). These will bite human beings and can be quite annoying.
Other bugs
Many mosquito-like insects live in grass.
Other species within the order Diptera that closely resemble mosquitoes include gnats and black flies. Black flies are serious pests to both human beings and animals and can inflict a vicious bite. In tropical areas, they can be disease vectors. There are several groups of gnats with different behaviors. Some feed on decaying plant matter or fungus while others are agricultural pests.
Tags: resemble mosquitoes, order Diptera, closely resemble, closely resemble mosquitoes, Crane flies