What's biting me? Seasonal visit from pirate bugs brings painful insect bites

As an outdoorsman, Jeremiah Pike is all too familiar with pirate bugs.

These little guys, just one-eighth of an inch big, make their presence felt – literally – in early to mid-October every fall because, despite their size, they pack a fierce bite.

This year, however, Pike said he’s noticed more of them in his backyard than usual.

“I’m used to seeing them out in the woods or in wooded areas,” said Pike, who lives in Ottawa. “I feel like the real change is that they are coming in my backyard more.”

Joe Spencer, principal insect behaviorist at the Illinois Natural History Survey, said what may be causing more pirate bug sightings in backyards is that farmers are already harvesting their soybean and cornfields – and temperatures have remained warm.

Pirate bugs spend their springs and summers feeding on other insects in agricultural fields, which is why they go unnoticed most of the year.

Once these fields come down, the adult pirate bugs, which Spencer noted are good fliers, make their way into other areas looking for prey.

That’s where pirate bug meets human. But don’t worry, you’re not their kind of food.

“They jab their beaks into our skin because they are seeing if we’re food,” Spencer said. “They’re really not interested in us, though.”

These native insects feast on smaller insects’ larva and eggs, including corn earworm eggs in cornfields, and are important in controlling the population of invasive bugs.

Their bite, however, is painful.

“They punch above their weight,” Spencer said.

While it hurts, the bite is not harmful and only presents swelling or a blister in certain individuals who don’t react well to the insect’s protein.

Insect repellent doesn’t work for pirate bugs, Spencer said.

“I’m used to them from hunting and being outside in October,” said Pike, who owns and operates Pine Hills Golf Course, south of Ottawa. “Really the only way to keep them off you is to wear long sleeves.”

The good news is that these bugs will hibernate once daytime temperatures get around 50 degrees, so they only stick around for roughly two to three weeks. The AccuWeather forecast calls for highs in the 50s Thursday and Friday, but high temperatures are expected to stay in the 60s for the next few days after.

“This too shall pass,” Spencer said.

Spencer said his goldenrods are covered with the tiny bug because they are attracted to floral aromas.

“It’s probably better they are attracted to them rather than having dissatisfied pirate bugs roaming the yard looking for food,” he said.

“It won’t be long, then they’ll go away.”