You have reached an introductory guide to the distribution and intensity of biting insects in different geographical locales, seasons, habitats, and times of day or night. "Biting Insects" is used as shorthand for a variety of biting and stinging insects, as well as closely related biting or sucking non-insects such as ticks and spiders. ("Bite" and "sting" are often used in the following discussions as synonyms, which of course they are not.) Primary emphasis is placed on species and conditions commonly found in the United States and Canada.

Insects and related animals attack human beings in many ways. For this reason, they may be classified as primarily important because they are carriers of disease, such as deer ticks that carry Lyme disease, dangerous biters (the danger depending on the sensitivity of the target and the number of bites), or serious nuisances (which may grade into danger at times). Some are irritated attackers (such as bees and wasps that sting in defense of nests or in counterattack), while others are blood feeders (such as mosquitos and ticks). Although we will consider all these classes, the concentration will be on insect biters as nuisances. The most prominent members of this class are mosquitos, horse flies, gnats, midges, and black flies.

Note: The regional information provided by this site is especially incomplete. Given enough time and assistance from our visitors, many of the gaps will be filled in.

Biting Insects is a project of RDG Services, 31 Pratt Street, Essex, CT 06426 USA.