Hordes of mosquitos have emerged in southwest Louisiana since Hurricane Laura, killing cows, horses, and other livestock.
The swarms formed into thick clouds days after the Category 4 Hurricane Laura on August 27, as damp conditions lead to the outbreak.
The mosquitos have attacked livestock, draining their blood and exhausting them as they moved to ward off the insects, according to a news release Wednesday from the Louisiana State University AgCenter.
Dr Craig Fontenot, a large-animal veterinarian, said the swarms are so thick the vast number of bites leave horses and cattle anemic and bleeding under their skins.
Farmers near the storm have probably lost 300 to 400 cattle.
A deer rancher lost about 30 of his 110 animals, losing over US$100,000, Fontenot told the Associated Press.
"They're vicious little suckers," he said.
The swarms seemed to be lessening, but now some cows are having spontaneous abortions from the stress.
Cattle owners have been spraying their pastures to give their cattle a couple of days of relief.
