There is this insect/arachnid I remember from my childhood in Las Vegas. It had a body about the size of a raisin, only it was quite flat. They were red with black spots (larger than ladybugs, but flatter), and the kids in the neighborhood called them "bloodsuckers" for some reason. (I have no idea if they bit or not.) I don't remember them flying, but I could be wrong about that. What insects were they? Scientific name or common name is fine, anything I can use to find out more info.
posted by ErWenn on Nov 7, 2009 - 13 answers

Why don't Bay Area mosquitos bite me? Last year, in Desolation Wilderness (CA), the air was thick with mosquitos, and I was bitten liberally and painfully. This year, in my apartment in the Bay Area, the air is again thick with mosquitos and I am without noticeable bites. Why? [more inside]
posted by beniamino on Jun 25, 2006 - 18 answers