Biting Midge..Sandflies

Biting Midge

Biting Midges (Sandflies)

modified from: Kettle, D.S. (1995). Medical and Veterinary Entomology. CAB International. Wallingford

Natural History Clinical Presentation Laboratory Diagnosis Treatment and Control Confirmation and Enquiries

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Natural History

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. These small flies are renowned for their nuisance biting associated with habitats such as coastal lagoons, estuaries, mangrove swamps and tidal flats. In Australia these flies are commonly known as sandflies but are correctly referred to as biting midges.

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. Only female midges feed on blood, but both the females and males will feed on vegetable fluids and nectar. Adults midges are 1.5-4.0 mm long with stout short legs, and at rest fold their wings, which are often mottled, over the abdomen. Their mouthparts are short and projected down. Female midges may attack humans in large numbers, biting on any areas of exposed skin, and often on the face, scalp and hands. Some species will blood feed on a wide range of animal hosts. The egg batches contain between 30-100 eggs, and are laid on selected substrates such as mud, decaying leaf litter, damp soil or other vegetative materials, dependent on the species. The small eel-like larvae hatch in a few days; their larval habitat must contain a proportion of organic material with a high moisture content to provide optimum conditions for the larval stage to thrive and pupate. The whole life cycle takes 3-10 weeks, dependent on species and environmental conditions, particularly temperature.

Clinical Presentation

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. Biting midges are not known to transmit any disease-causing pathogens to humans in Australia.

Laboratory Diagnosis

Identification of biting midges is performed with the use of light microscopy and taxonomic keys, after the specimen has been especially prepared on a glass slide.

Treatment and Control

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. These measures will assist in limiting exposure to these biting flies. Irritation associated with bites may be alleviated with anti-pruritic preparations such as EURAX^�, but severe reactions may require medical treatment with antihistamines.

Dense undergrowth at Djuiru Park

Dense undergrowth, originally uploaded by Ladymaggic.

The dense undergrowth at the Tam O Shanter National Park, now known as the Djuiru National P{ark at Mission Beach.

The walk across was closed and so was the other walks closer to the beach.
This is a Cassowary Protection Area

Tropical Walk at Djuiru National Park Mission Beach

Tropical Walk, originally uploaded by Ladymaggic.

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/djiru/about.html

The Walk took 45 minutes through dense Rainforest.
The entire walk was well documented with photos and descriptions of the Cassowaries, their food and protection Program.
It was very quiet in the Rainforest. There were very few birdcalls, and in the entire walk I only saw one small bird. I walked quietly and searched the dense undergrowth. There were Cassowary droppings saying they were around recently, but I did not hear any young or see any cassowaries.
It was a wonderful walk through the forest, up steep steps, over creek and over a bridge with a beautiful waterhole.
The path returned to the Parking area in a circular walk

The Licuala and Lacey Creek day-use areas have been developed for visitor use within Djiru National Park.

To get to the Licuala day-use area and carpark, turn north off the Tully–Mission Beach Road onto the signposted unsealed road, about eight kilometres east of the town of Mission Beach. The day-use area and carpark are 1.6 kilometres along this unsealed road. It is accessible by conventional vehicles.

Lacey Creek day-use area is beside the El Arish–Mission Beach road, eight kilometres from the junction with the Bruce Highway and 7.5 kilometres from Mission Beach town.
Wheelchair accessibility

The toilets at Lacey Creek day-use area and part of the 1.3 kilometre Fan Palm walk at Licuala day-use area are wheelchair accessible.
Park features

Since Europeans began to settle north Queensland, over 80 per cent of the lowland rainforest in the wet tropics has been cleared for agriculture and housing. Much of the forest in Mission Beach was spared, or has regrown after timber was harvested. A large tract of this now rare forest type is preserved as national park.

From the Licuala day-use area, the short fan palm walk takes visitors through dense groves of native fan palm. The splayed fronds, which create a bright green, patterned canopy overhead, are a popular subject for photographers.

At Lacey Creek, visitors can follow the circuit track through the rainforest along, and across, the creek. Many of the features of mature tropical rainforest can be seen: tall trees with wide buttressed trunks; epiphytic ferns perching on tree branches, high in the canopy; and twining vines climbing up and over other plants to reach the light.

Cassowaries are often seen in this park, appearing from the surrounding forest and then melting away again.

Balgal Beach

Balgal Beach, originally uploaded by Ladymaggic.

View from where I am now sitting using the Internet.
The bank opposite is where the resident crocodile likes to sun when there are not so many people around. He was there yesterday but I missed him.
The river is rich with fish and this is a very popular fishing place as well as a place where locals and visitors from as far as Townsville come for a day out or simply to enjoy a fresh fish dinner, at a very reasonable cost, at Fishermans Landing.

http://www.exploroz.com/Places/76720/QLD/Balgal_Beach.aspx

Balgal Beach Boatramp

Balgal Beach Boatramp, originally uploaded by Ladymaggic.

Balgal Beach

Beautiful Beach north of Townsville marred only by the sandflies who have feasted on my body every morning and evening while I enjoy the the sunrise and sunset. Even now, I am being eaten alive while I type this at the Cafe Outside area.
I am at a 48 hour Council Caravan Park right on the beach and enjoying the quiet and the peace and beauty.

Balgal Beach is a beachside community popular as a day and overnight trip destination for locals and tourists to Thuringowa and Townsville. Just a few minutes from Rollingstone, Balgal Beach features a stinger net, which is installed and patrolled from November to May, and an excellent boat ramp facility with easy access to the Palm Island group. It boasts a superb sand beach as well as a wide creek mouth and is a renowned beach and river fishing location.

Other activities include visiting the Anzac memorial, viewing the interpretive historic signage, having a picnic and barbecue at the park, bird watching and fishing.

There is also a licensed cafe and a variety of accommodation which includes Holiday Units, Bed and Breakfast Retreat, and Council's two designated limited tent camping and vehicle camping areas. Download the flyer from their websites for more information on free camping.
http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/things-to-see-and-do/balgal-beach-9001758/index.cfm

Karumba-Sunset colors

Karumba-161, originally uploaded by Ladymaggic.

The sunset cruise was a wonderful experience.
The boat was surrounded by color. It was like being in a bowl of sunset.
The Barge which works 24 hours cleaning the sand from the river provided a colorful silhouette.

Karumba QueenslandKarumba is situated on the mouth of the Norman River