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title: Photographer Captures Image of Mosquito Tornado Spotted in Portugal
description: This makes a Sharknado seem utterly pleasant
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article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T07:10:05.710Z
og:title: Real Life Mosquito Tornado Spotted in Portugal
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# There Is Nothing More Terrifying Than This Mosquito Tornado

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by 

[Samantha Grossman](https://time.com/author/samantha-grossman/)


## Samantha Grossman


May 28, 2014 4:53 PM UTC

by 

[Samantha Grossman](https://time.com/author/samantha-grossman/)


## Samantha Grossman


May 28, 2014 4:53 PM UTC

Even if the premise of [_Sharknado_](http://entertainment.time.com/2013/07/12/perfect-storm-the-genius-of-sharknado/) came true, it would be nothing compared to this real life funnel cloud monstrosity made entirely out of mosquitos. It’s a MOSQUITONADO:

Photographer Ana Filipa Scarpa noticed this phenomenon while visiting Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal. Though it looked like a funnel cloud, she realized it was actually a swarm of moving insects.

“It was a very high funnel swinging to the left and to the right. I pointed my camera and began shooting before it hit me,” Scarpa[ told ](http://io9.com/why-this-tornado-is-infinitely-more-terrifying-than-a-1581975036)io9\. “But the funnel did not move toward me — and I thought it was so strange — so I got into my car and started to drive towards it, and that’s when I realized it was a mosquito twister.”

As she got closer, some mosquitos actually entered her car. She estimated that the swarm extended about 1,000 feet high.

Well, have fun with your lifelong nightmares, everybody.

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