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Sunday, January 26, 2014

That squishy feeling

What are we talking about?
  • This species' reputation as a public nuisance is due not to any bite or sting (it is incapable of either), but to its slightly acidic body chemistry. 
  • They are common to parts of Central America and the southeastern United States, especially along the Gulf Coast and belong to Plecia nearctica 
  • Exist in enormous numbers near highways, they die in masses on automobile windshields, hoods, and radiator grills when the vehicles travel at high speeds. If left for more than an hour or two, the remains become extremely difficult to remove. Their body chemistry has a nearly neutral 6.5 pH but may become acidic at 4.25 pH if left on the car for a day.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Locusts?

Sunday, January 26, 2014

That squishy feeling

What are we talking about?
  • This species' reputation as a public nuisance is due not to any bite or sting (it is incapable of either), but to its slightly acidic body chemistry. 
  • They are common to parts of Central America and the southeastern United States, especially along the Gulf Coast and belong to Plecia nearctica 
  • Exist in enormous numbers near highways, they die in masses on automobile windshields, hoods, and radiator grills when the vehicles travel at high speeds. If left for more than an hour or two, the remains become extremely difficult to remove. Their body chemistry has a nearly neutral 6.5 pH but may become acidic at 4.25 pH if left on the car for a day.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Locusts?