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Show THE ZEPHYR/JUNEJULY 2006 COMING SOON! THE FIRST ANNUAL JOHNSON'S-UP-ON-TOP CLOUDROCK BITING MIDGE FESTIVAL ‘IF WE HAVE MORE FESTIVALS..THEY WILL COME." Je x WUE NS OU & “ \ NN WHY SHOULD WE CELEBRATE THE BITING MIDGE??77 Biting midges are small robust insects with piercing and sucking mouthparts that belong to the family of flies Ceratopogonidae. Only a few groups within this family are known to suck blood and their distribution is almost world wide _ The biting activity of adult biting midges is mainly limited to the periods of dawn and dusk; they will remain inactive through very windy weather, finding shelter amongst vegetation. Biting midges will usually disperse only short distances from their breeding sites. _In the canyon country, they are most common in the 5000 to 6500 foot elevation range and are particularly prolific in the pinyon/juniper woodland. (Editor's Note: Rumors that biting midge infestation is almost shockingly annoying on Johnson's-up-onTop, the proposed site for Cloudrock Resort, and that they drove its developer almost to distraction, cannot be confirmed.) Biting midges are responsible for acute discomfort, irritation and severe local reactions. Itching may commence immediately after the bite, but often not for some hours later, and most individuals are unaware of being bitten at the time. Biting midges have their greatest impact on people arriving to an area or tourists. Local residents seem to build up some immunity to the biting. In some sensitive people, midges can produce persistent reactions that blister and -weep serum from the site of each bite and these reactions may last for several days to weeks There are no known efficient methods of controlling biting midges, but personal protection will help in reducing exposure to their bites. Avoid localities, especially at dawn and dusk, that are known to be frequented by biting midges; wear protective clothing (long sleeves/pants), and apply a repellent to exposed skin. Some of this information was provided by the department of Entomology at the University of Sydney, Australia. PAGEIS |