Weird thing is, it’s not a myth. Maybe flexing muscles is the same mechanism you describe where it’s stretching the skin. I think the PhD author hasn’t spent enough time in the gym to have muscles large enough to adequately stretch skin :)
As kids we would tell each other about the flex trick, it worked fine on tiger mosquitoes for example. The reason we didn't continue is that it would cause a larger more aggravating welt.
Yes, I’d expect this trick to leave some of the mosquito proboscis in the wound. It sounds like an awful idea.
Fascinating. Never heard about it before. Do you have to wait for one to settle at exactly the right spot, or is it more forgiving? Which muscles is the easiest?
Biceps for best viewing.
My PI spent plenty of time in the gym during his PhD working up to a 700lbs squat. Not sure why you think students don't have time to lift
Op was poking at a stereotype, relax and try not to take things so personally.
700 is monstrous. I only know of one computer scientist to hit that level. Famous in several worlds. You must be in graphics.