Gorgeous, and non-bitey: that's our kind of flying insect. Credit: Photo by Richard Whittaker

There’s good news and bad news for entomologists (that’s bug watchers to the rest of us). With the warm, wet summer, there’s lot of insects around.

Good News: There’s bumper populations of dragon flies to see in the day, and fireflies at night. Also, the moisture means lots of late-blooming flowers, which means lots of butterflies.

Bad News: The dank and moist weather is ideal for mosquitoes, and some of them carry West Nile Virus. So the city of Austin is advocating the four D’s:
– Dusk to Dawn – try to stay indoors during daylight, when mosquitoes are most likely to be out and biting.
– Dress – try to stay covered up.
– DEET – apply insect repellent with DEET in it.
– Drain – try not to have any still or stagnant water around. That’s where mosquitoes like to make more mosquitoes.

Good News: Only 1% of mosquitoes tested in the state carry West Nile Virus, and only 1% of bites from infected mosquitoes result in infections.

Bad News: Mosquito bites still really itch.

This article appears in July 20 • 2007.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.