Ballykelly bites likely caused by mosquitoes, investigation finds

Entomologist Paul Moore told BBC News NI that he has been working with the council in relation to insect bites in Ballykelly.

Mr Moore, who is vastly experienced in the study of insects, said that after reviewing pictures of specimens taken from the area, he believed these were what are known as banded mosquitoes, Culiseta annulata.

This species is one of the largest mosquitoes and can be found in many areas across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“When trying to identify an insect it is very hard to go just off the bites themselves – you really need to collect specimens from the area when dealing with something like this,” he explained.

He said these mosquitoes do hibernate and that is why they may have initially been dismissed as a potential culprit.

But he added that when it gets warmer, they can come out of hibernation when feeling “a bit peckish” and can be active at any time of year, even during milder periods in winter.

He said they are mainly active from Spring until late Autumn before hibernating, where they are even known to be found in some roof spaces.

Mr Moore said these mosquitoes have a nasty bite and advised against scratching them.