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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Flies (Diptera) (38 Galleries) >> Mosquitoes (Family: Culicidae) > Bite me! (Female mosquito)
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19-SEP-2010 Christine Hanrahan

Bite me! (Female mosquito)

Nortel woods. This very large (for a mosquito) and very beautiful insect landed on my arm today and stuck her proboscis in. I watched her for quite awhile. At one point she lifted the proboscis out and then re-inserted it. Eventually she had her fill and flew off. What intrigued me was that I felt no immediate bite as I do with most mosquitoes, and once she'd flown off there was no itch or redness at all. And I was also interested in seeing how her abdomen became distended with my blood as she fed, like a balloon being blown up. She was also a very beautiful creature, with hints of gold and blue, and zebra striped legs.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
1/100s f/2.8 at 5.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Don01-Mar-2016 18:38
You remind me of Charles Darwin, who enthused over being bitten by a Benchuca Bug while high in the Andes. Trouble was, he may have contracted Chagas Disease as a result. I hope you didn't suffer any long-term consequences. Great photo!
Jola Dziubinska25-Sep-2010 21:31
Wow, great macro and I appreciate your sacrifice LOL
Guest 22-Sep-2010 18:42
Wow!! What a shot Christine!! Wonderful detail!
Barbara Heide21-Sep-2010 21:14
fantastic macro! v
Mieke WA Minkjan21-Sep-2010 07:22
excellent capture so sharp V
you didn't get a histamine reaction after the bite?
Fay Stout21-Sep-2010 00:51
Ewwwwwww... Christine! How in the world did you get this shot? So sharp while it was sucking your blood. Incredible! V.
Guest 20-Sep-2010 20:27
Mayby she was working for the Red Cross? ...:)
J. Scott Coile20-Sep-2010 13:02
They have been horrible here this Summer.
LynnH20-Sep-2010 10:39
I'm always amazed at your close ups. Looks like she is using one of her legs to help support or guide the proboscis. V
Maaike Huizer20-Sep-2010 08:11
This is amzaing. So sharp. You can even see your blood in its proboscis. V
borisalex20-Sep-2010 06:17
You are like a sientist! Never would I let me bite and photograph it! :)
slhoornstra20-Sep-2010 06:04
A fair trade? A fine capture with an interesting history!! V
Yvonne20-Sep-2010 05:42
Ouch!! What a fantastic detailed close up! v
Cindi Smith20-Sep-2010 02:12
I've got one of those....What we do for a photograph. Hope it didn't itch too bad!
Hank Vander Velde20-Sep-2010 02:01
Terrific composure and self sacrifice to get this splendid shot Christine. Super macro.
Walter Otto Koenig20-Sep-2010 01:12
Wow, great close up with these sharp details. Well done! "V"
Mary Terry19-Sep-2010 23:50
Wow...amazing shot...although I think I would have squashed her!
Graeme19-Sep-2010 23:36
This is real close up Christine, guess you dont mind the odd bite or two!! Great work and details.BV!!
Carl Carbone19-Sep-2010 23:17
I'm still amazed at the quality of your "hand held" shots, let alone the creatures! Nice observation. :-)
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