DECATUR - Whether willing or not, plants, other insects and animals, as well as humans, are all being taste-tested by minute pirate bugs.

"They are sucking insects," said Phil Nixon, extension entomologist with the University of Illinois. "Mostly when they land, they probe to see whether it's good to eat or not."

And, no, they aren't no-see-ums. A no-see-um is a small relative of a mosquito that is about half its size, Nixon said.

"From what I've found, (the minute pirate bugs) accidentally encounter people," said Jennifer Nelson, unit educator in horticulture with the University of Illinois Extension Macon County.

While tiny, their bite seems to be quite painful.

"I've talked to people who have gotten a mosquito-type reaction," he said.

In most cases, though, the pirate's bite is not as irritating because there's no foreign protein involved, Nixon said. It's usually a little bite, feeling something like a slight pinch.

And it turns out these pirates are good.

"They are beneficial," Nixon said. "They are useful and help control harmful insects."

Minute pirate bugs are normally found in fields, but Nixon said his experience with them is usually where there are flowering plants and blossoms. They are primarily active in the daylight hours and generally not attracted to light.

"They are small enough to come through screens, but I doubt that they would. I can't ever remember having one inside the house, and (it) being a problem."

Though he added he didn't know if there was a true association with harvest and pirates seemingly more interested in urban areas, "They are going to be flying around looking for other foods," he said, once fields are cleared.

Nixon also suggested the best protection: long sleeves and long pants, but no insect repellent, unless the goal is to attract more bugs.

"I've never known of one to bite through long clothing. (A repellent) would probably actually be attractive to the insect," he said.

But is it imagination or are they, and mosquitoes, more prominent this year?

Nixon said there is likely more awareness of mosquitoes because with the mild fall, people have been outdoors more. And, "(Mosquitoes) aren't going to go away until we've had a frost," Nelson added.

As for minute pirate bugs, "They are out every year," Nixon said. "I would guess, since I've been doing this job for 28 years, there's more out this year."

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