pstroud1 - Posted - 04/22/2011:  21:59:09

This is meant with no disrespect to real Canadian soldiers, God bless every one of them.

When we were kids we always called those great big mosquitoes Canadian soldiers. I was raised in north central PA. Just wondered if the name was a local thing or is a real name for them.

They can be quite huge in size but are harmless, [don't bite]. I've heard they are the female that produces the young but that might be an old wives tale, not that wives tell tales.

Just wondering if Zepp or someone could give an explanation of what they really are and what is their purpose other than to dive bomb me when under this light on my desk.

Hope this hasn't be asked this year yet lol

Paul

bubbalouie - Posted - 04/23/2011:  08:02:57

Those are the males Paul. They don't bite but I kill 'em anyway so they don't breed and make more.

I've never heard of them called Canadian soldiers but I like it!.

We get them coming in in the summer too.

BConk - Posted - 04/23/2011:  08:33:35

I think you're referring to crane flies. They do look just like huge mosquitoes. My grandfather called them, New Jersey mosquitoes """". .

trapdoor2 - Posted - 04/23/2011:  11:13:38

Look up "Mayflies". I did a search on "Canadian Soldier Bugs" and got lots of hits on mayflies. No idea why they're called Canadian Soldiers by some. Here in the South they're called "Mayflies".

pstroud1 - Posted - 04/23/2011:  16:36:56

Yea I saw where Wikipidea calls them May flies but that's not what I seeing. I think bubbalouie is right. I know what a Mayfly looks like but that's not the same these are GIANTS. Some are a little bigger than a mayfly but most are as big as my 4 fingers on my right hand. They mostly come in at night when we have the doors open. We have portable hanging screens that keep out those big night hornets but anything can get under the bottom.

I we don't mind the big  misquitoes but they are kind of annoying when the circle the light I have on top of my computer and slap me in the head. They are so big it kind of jars your head to the side and I see double for a few seconds.

Paul

Brian T - Posted - 04/23/2011:  16:56:58

Given the size and the time, I'll guess that they're Stone Flies.

Bill - Posted - 04/23/2011:  18:05:10

You mean these?

readjack.wordpress.com/2010/04...ls/ 

Brian T - Posted - 04/23/2011:  20:12:33

Plecoptera, I believe.

pstroud1 - Posted - 04/23/2011:  20:59:07

 Thanks Bill & BConk, Crane fly it is. Dang, I always thought they were mosquitoes. They are cool looking things. We're going to save one for the grandkids to gawk at tomorrow.

It will take me a while the way our internet is working but I'll try to get a picture on here if I can figure it out with this new system, grrr.

I've seen mayflies and also those things Brian T said around here.

Paul

Edited by - pstroud1 on 04/23/2011 21:06:57

dlc - Posted - 04/23/2011:  21:07:54

We get them about the size of a thumb for about two months, and they look exactly like big mosquitoes.

But they're fruit mosquitoes.  Vegetarian. Harmless.

They just want salad.

dmiller - Posted - 04/23/2011:  21:26:08

quote:

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Originally posted by pstroud1

 Thanks Bill & BConk, Crane fly it is. Dang, I always thought they were mosquitoes. They are cool looking things. We're going to save one for the grandkids to gawk at tomorrow.

It will take me a while the way our internet is working but I'll try to get a picture on here if I can figure it out with this new system, grrr.

I've seen mayflies and also those things Brian T said around here.

Paul

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Here's the picture of one of them, Paul.    Dang - - - they DO look like skeeters!  

BConk - Posted - 04/24/2011:  10:48:02

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian T

Given the size and the time, I'll guess that they're Stone Flies.

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 They don't resemble mosquitoes at all but stone flies can get pretty big.

BConk - Posted - 04/24/2011:  10:50:47

Now - for a truly horrific night visitor....

behold the Eastern Dobsonfly.....

bordertownbrown - Posted - 04/24/2011:  11:56:40

I grew up near the banks of lake Erie with Canada just 20 miles across the lake, normally once a year there would be a hatching of May flies which would cover window and door screens. We called these insects Canadian sailors while on the other side of the lake the Canadians called them American sailors. There were also lots of very large thirsty  blood sucking mosquitos but we just called them mosquitos.

Couchie - Posted - 04/24/2011:  13:27:02

Well, I've lived in Canada my entire life and I've never heard anyone call these  big guys Canadian Solders.  We always called them Mosquito Hawks and I was always told never to kill one because they eat mosquitos.  I've never killed one, but I've never seen one eat a mosquito either.

csrat - Posted - 04/24/2011:  17:12:28

quote:

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Originally posted by trapdoor2

Look up "Mayflies". I did a search on "Canadian Soldier Bugs" and got lots of hits on mayflies. No idea why they're called Canadian Soldiers by some. Here in the South they're called "Mayflies".

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 In NW Ohio, the Mayflies are called Canadian Soldiers because they come across Lake Erie in huge swarms, like some kind of invading force from the north.  The swarms are so thick that driving can become hazardous because they cover the pavement and make it quite slippery.  Outdoor light fixtures look furry from the critters hanging off of one another and only a fool will ride a bike or motorcycle without a face shield.

pstroud1 - Posted - 04/24/2011:  21:16:49

I'm sure your right about the Mayflies. We once stopped at a rest area in CO and just walking to the out house we had to cover our mouth with our hand to keep from breathing them. Yuck!

I guess it's just something that got twisted up in our area of PA, then maybe it was just our crazy families. lol

Paul

Paul R - Posted - 04/25/2011:  07:04:13

quote:

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Originally posted by BConk

behold the Eastern Dobsonfly.....

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 Any relation to a Buck bee??