Insects
MosquitoesThe mosquitoes are a familly of small flies- the Culicidae. The many wetlands in the arctic- made due to melt permafrost in the summer- provides mosquitoes home for their larvae. These mosquitoes can appear in swarms so thick they can turn the sky gray. The female ones bite on people and other warm- blooded creatures, such as the caribou or polar bears, and inject their saliva, which causes all the itchiness and swelling.
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Arctic Woolly Bear MothThe scientific name for the Arctic Woolly Bear moth is Gynaephora groenlandica. This moth is best known for its slow rate of development. The arctic woolly-bear caterpillars are unique for their adaptations to the cold arctic. They spend nearly 90% of their life frozen and only about 5% feeding on the tundra during the month of June. The larvae can live in the most cold temperatures down to -70°C. |
Black FlyThe Black Fly is any member of the family Simuliidae. Most black flies drink the blood of mammals, including humans, but the males usually feed on nectar. They are small, black or gray, with short legs. They are a nuisance for humans because they spread several diseases, including river blindness. Symptoms include itching, bumps under the skin, and blindness. |