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Native American Mosquito Mythology

Like other biting insects, mosquitoes are viewed as enemies of humankind by many tribes, and some legends feature blood-sucking or man-eating monsters transformed into mosquitoes and biting flies after their deaths.

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Mosquito is used as a clan crest in some Northwest Coast tribes, such as the Haida and Gitxsan, and can sometimes be found carved on totem poles. The Creek tribe also has a Mosquito Dance among their tribal dance traditions, in which the dancers were traditionally pricked with pins.

Native American Mosquito Gods and Spirits

Mosquito Man (Northwest Coast)

Native American Legends About Mosquitos

*Dotson'Sa, Great Raven Makes The World:
    Athabaskan legend about the origin of mosquitoes.
*Ts��yaa and Mosquito Man:
    Video of a Dane-zaa storyteller relating a traditional mosquito legend.
*Coyote and Mosquito:
    Jicarilla Apache legend about the trickster Coyote foolishly trying to imitate Mosquito.
*Mosquito Marries Under False Pretences:
    Jicarilla Apache legend about Mosquito being a poor provider.

Recommended Books of Mosquito Stories from Native American Myth and Legend
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The First Mosquito:
    Children's book based on a Northwest Coast Indian legend about the origin of mosquitoes.
Spirits of the Earth: A Guide to Native American Nature Symbols, Stories, and Ceremonies:
    Book about the meanings of Indian animal spirits, including a chapter on insects.
Insect Mythology:
    Interesting book on the meaning of mosquitos and other insects in world mythology, including Native North America and Mesoamerica.



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