Category: Science

How Weather and Climate Change Impact Mosquito Activity

Posted on by k2Dev

The term mosquito comes from the Portuguese term ‘little fly.’When you see a million of these little guys flying around, yourealize it’s a very apt term, until you get bit. Today mosquitoesexist on every continent outside of Antarctica, where conditionsare too cold for their survival. They only need temperatures above58 degrees to thrive, and they will, if allowed to have free reignof any area with a stagnant pool of water.

Hardy Forerunner

Mosquitoes are almost always the first organism that is drawn to anew body of water and they are also one of the first organisms toleave it in search of a new living place. For this reason, theyhave been every hardy and easily thrive in many differentclimates. This process also helps them to evade predators quitewell. Interestingly enough, although mosquitoes do require waterin order to reproduce, once they are airborne, they can survive inmany different conditions. In addition, warmer temperatures allowthem to be more active, but warm and wet does not mean moremosquitoes, and colder and dry does not mean less.

Droughts can help mosquitoes breed because of the stagnant waterthat sits on the ground although less rain may mean less bodies ofwater for mosquitoes to breed in. Although they are not likely tocome out and bite during long rains, they will breed like wildfirein the newly created ponds of water. The truth is that theselittle flies will take advantage of every type of weathercondition making the impact of weather on mosquitoes very minimal.

Climate and Mosquitoes

The simple truth of the matter is that mosquitoes are able toadapt to change quickly, allowing them to live in many climatesagainst the intellectual odds. They are a species that provesDarwin’s theory of evolution, because they genetically are able toadapt quickly to change allowing future generations to survive innew climates. For this reason alone, it is very hard to combatmosquitoes in any area, because they can change their lifecycle tomatch new conditions.

For example, the northeastern U.S. states have a type of mosquitoknown as the pitcher-plant mosquito. These types of mosquitoestraditionally lay eggs when daylight hours start reaching adesignated time. Over the past four decades, the genetic traits ofthis family of mosquitoes has slowly altered allowing them tohatch earlier and earlier in the year as temperatures startingwarming in these states.

Today the northeast U.S. has warmed by a bit over one degreeFahrenheit and the frost season ends earlier. Due to the geneticmutation the pitcher-plant mosquitoes can now hatch much earlierin the year, and it only took them a few decades to do so!

In terms of the evolutionary cycle, this adaptation is quickerthan almost every other animal species. As the earth continues towarm because of climate change, it is predicted that mosquitoeswill continue to evolve coming out earlier and earlier in theyear. So you might want to consider buying bug spray in March,because in some areas, mosquitoes will now be around long enoughto declare state residency.

Impact of Weather on Mosquito-Borne Disease

It has been found that higher temperatures often are linked to thecreation of protozoan that leads to malaria. When mosquitoes arepresent in temperatures above 59 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit, theyare able to mature the malaria strains of Plasmodium Vivax andPlasmodium Falciparum. In addition, it only takes a temperatureabove 58 degrees for St. Louis Encephalistiis and West Nile Virusto develop in the body of a mosquito. For every additional 12degrees that it increases in temperature, the development rate ofthese diseases than doubles.

Are Mosquitoes More Attracted to Men or to Women?

Posted on by k2Dev

The female mosquito locates a body of water. This is a crucial point in a mosquito’s life cycle since water is needed for it to be completed. She hovers above the water, crossing her hind legs before lowering her abdomen so that her eggs can be excreted and stacked upon one another. After fifteen minutes, there are over 200 eggs floating along the water in the shape of a miniature boat and the birthing process is complete. Within two days, the mother’s larvae emerge from their eggs in virtual unison, skimming the same water where they were birthed in search of food as they slowly mature into adults.

In the span of a second, one of these same adult mosquitoes can draw its next meal from a vast number of hosts including, but not limited to, the warm-blooded mammal known as the human being. If it gets this opportunity, it may very well leave the person with a number of diseases, such as West Nile Virus, that can be fatal.

Being that female mosquitoes are the gender known for feeding off of animals for egg production, it has been assumed that the human female is their main target. Additionally, it has been a popular belief that a woman’s estrogen levels make her more susceptible to mosquito bites than a man. However, this theory has yet to be scientifically proven.

With this in mind, the question remains: are mosquitoes more attracted to men or women?

Physical Attraction

Mosquitoes have the ability to detect a human’s presence from as far as thirty to fifty meters away. Characteristics that typically draw them towards a person are body movement, as well as body heat. As a result, the larger a host is in size, the more heat their body will generate and the more likely the mosquito will be attracted to draw blood from them. Seeing as how the average male is generally larger than the average female—in height and weight—this makes him an easier target for the female mosquito searching for a host.

The Sweet Scent of Carbon Dioxide

Mosquitoes are naturally attracted to carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas which occurs naturally in all humans, be it man, woman, or child, and is given off through the act of exhaling. However, larger people have a tendency to emit more carbon dioxide, the reason mosquitoes prefer feeding off adults versus children.

Female versus Female

Speaking of children, a woman carrying a child is shown to have an increased risk of attracting mosquitoes, as expectant mothers are shown to release excessive amounts of carbon dioxide, along with higher levels of body temperature, during pregnancy in comparison to their non-pregnant counterparts.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it is evident that the female mosquito shows a greater attraction to men versus women. However, she is also known to show a stronger magnetism to pregnant women over non-pregnant women and anyone shown to give off large amounts of carbon dioxide and high levels of body heat. But, regardless of one’s gender or body mass, there are several steps anyone can implement into their daily routine in order to lessen the chance of being bitten by a mosquito in the first place:

  • Spray insect repellent on exposed skin before going outside. Typically, the best repellent to use is one registered by the EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency.
  • When outdoors, be sure to wear long-sleeves, pants, as well as darker colored clothing.
  • Keep track of peak mosquito times, which can range anywhere from early morning to late evening hours.
  • Be sure to drain any standing water near one’s house. As mentioned earlier, water is one of the most essential elements needed in the average mosquito’s life cycle. Examples of standing water include any stray containers, as well as swimming pool water.
  • A large quantity of dead birds in one’s immediate area is a clear indicator that mosquitoes carrying life-threatening diseases are nearby.

 

What Does a Mosquito Eat, Other Than Me?

Posted on by k2Dev

No doubt mosquitos are pesky little critters. They show up when the weather is warm in the great outdoors and seem to zero in on humans having fun. After a summer night outside, a person can feel like mosquito prey. There is an entire industry built around stopping those annoying insects. Every year people buy bug spray, anti-mosquito candles and even wear mosquito repellent around their necks like garlic for protection against vampires. All this can leave a person wondering if mosquitoes have a taste for something other than human blood.

Ladies Only

One interesting fact about mosquitoes is that only female mosquitoes prey on blood and only during a specific time in their lives, when they are about to lay eggs. A female mosquito needs the protein from blood to feed her little family of baby mosquitoes. This means that all the nasty, even deadly diseases spread by mosquitoes come from the lady mosquitoes.

These blood thirsty girls will bite humans, but they prefer avian blood. A mosquito’s prey of choice is birds. If birds aren’t available, female mosquitoes will look for blood from small, vegetarian mammals. Only after exhausting that supply do they turn to people and larger mammals. Dogs, cows, pigs and sheep are all potential victims. Mosquitoes are responsible for heartworm in dogs, so dog owners should be especially vigilant.

Vegetarian, Please

The most common source of food for mosquitoes, male and female, is nectar from flowers. Like their butterfly and honeybee friends, mosquitoes like to sip sweet goodness from the insides of floral blooms. Mosquitoes are sure to be present a field of wildflowers. They use the nectar for energy to fly. Mosquitoes like this yummy, sweet stuff so much that scientists have experimented with poisoning it. They found that when they lace juices and nectar with insect poison, the mosquitoes will be attracted to the delicious mix and will enjoy their final meals.

I’ll Take Mine Rotted

When not preying on human, bird or mammal blood, mosquitoes do not have a preference for fresh meals. They favor rotted fruit, and they often hang out near fruit trees. That way they can get the nectar from the blooms and eat fruit that has rotted or fallen off the tree. They seem to have a particular craving for cherry tree blossoms and rotten cherries. This is a great advantage to birds who nosh on fallen fruit. Sometimes they will find a rotten cherry, strawberry or peach with a delicious mosquito filling. Along with rotten fruit, researches have also discovered that mosquitoes are attracted to a stinky meal of Limburger cheese.

Insect Attraction

While they don’t eat everything that attracts them, mosquitoes are more likely to fly towards some things than others. Typically they are attracted to certain smells and visual cues. They then choose prey where they’ve flown. They like the smell of items such as shampoos and body lotions, possibly because they associate these smells with flowers. They are attracted to heat and moisture, so they will zone right into someone who is sweating. Mosquitoes also prefer the company of people wearing dark clothing.

But even when a mosquito is looking for blood, humans fall near the bottom of the list. However, knowing that doesn’t make a mosquito bite any less itchy!

 

Why Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Water?

Posted on by k2Dev

Have you ever looked in a birdbath after it rained? If so, chances are you’ve seen a large number of small, swimming things moving around in it. These small things, while seemingly normal and harmless, grow up to be something much more than that: mosquitoes.

Perhaps you’ve noticed this in many more places, that large numbers of small, swimming creatures inhabit the water that you let sit in one place for a long period of time. What most people don’t know is that puddles and ponds of water attract the mosquito to them, drawing in more of this troublesome pest. One then begins to wonder, just why are the mosquitoes so attracted to water like this?

The Mosquito Life-Cycle

Mosquitoes have a life cycle consisting of an egg stage, a larval stage, a pupal stage, and an adult stage. The small creatures seen in water are often mosquitoes that are in their larval or pupal stages of life, where they must live within the water to survive. They are commonly seen in their larval stage, however, as their pupal stage often lasts a few days at most. The eggs typically last several days as well, and are not often seen. This is what brings us to our next question…

Why Exactly Are Mosquitoes Drawn to Water?

Mosquitoes are not necessarily drawn to water itself, but rather the potential home for their offspring. While some mosquitoes will lay their eggs directly in water, where they then float to the surface to hatch, others will lay their eggs on damp soil, leaves, or any other damp surface that they can find.

These areas are most likely to become flooded with water again at some time, such as the bottom of a riverbed. When this happens, the eggs will begin to develop into larva, triggering their life-cycle to begin. Most often, people will see them in areas of water that they frequently leave standing, such as a bird-bath or a watering can they leave out in the rain frequently. This is because the water is often there, making the chances of successful egg development greater than areas where water comes and goes.

So Wait, Are They Attracted to All Water?

The quick answer would be yes. The longer answer, however, would be that they are attracted to some water more than others. Areas that have more mosquitoes tend to be more humid, where rainfall is more frequent, leading to marshes and swamps. Lakes are another favorite of mosquitoes, as a lake is large enough to ensure that the water never fully evaporates, except in extreme conditions. The water in these areas tends to remain relatively still, with little flow that can disrupt the egg laying or developmental cycles.

Flowing water, on the other hand, tends to move rapidly. This movement can make it hard for a mosquito to lay its eggs, and those that it does lay risk being destroyed by the rushing water. The larva once they hatch would also be at a great risk, as they must come to the surface of the water to breath. While this is quite easy in a lake or a masch, doing so becomes difficult when the water is moving you every which way!

“But My Backyard is Full of Mosquitoes, and I Sure Don’t Have a Swamp In It!”

Is there a small creek near you? That can be a big factor, as small creeks tend to have slower moving water, a very good location for mosquitoes to lay eggs. As discussed before, bird baths and watering cans can be another good location for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. While a watering can is not the best, not using it frequently can allow mosquitoes to thrive in it. As for the bird bath, unless you have large numbers of birds coming to visit you, the water there probably isn’t moving much, and unless you take an active effort to change it, provides the perfect location for mosquito growth.

 

How Fast and Far Can Mosquitoes Fly?

Posted on by k2Dev

Despite recent events that have made Vampires an object of desire as opposed to danger, another such bloodsucker will never have the same luck. Mosquitoes have always, and forever will be, met with an irritated ‘tsk’, an annoyed ‘ow!’ and a frantic waving of the hands. However, despite the fact that these insects have such a hold on us, we know very little about them.

While we often see them simply as nondescript pests that buzz and bite, there are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes all over the world. And each species carries with it a set of rules and abilities, ranging from what they eat to where they eat. But let’s focus on the thing that make mosquitoes one of the most dreaded insects in the world: their ability to fly.

Where Did It Go?

How fast can the mosquito fly? Well, anyone who has ever tried to swat a mosquito would agree on two things:

a) They seem to fly closer to the speed of light

b) They possess the most frustrating but almost godlike ability to disappear just as we think when we have finally got them.

While these perceptions might make one think that a mosquito is some sort of mutated insect with superpowers that rival those of Flash Gordon, in reality an average mosquito flies at the speed of 1 to 1.5 miles an hour. This is despite the fact that a mosquito’s wings can beat anywhere from 300 to 600 times per second! Thus, while the mosquito may fool us into thinking that it is uncatchable, its speed tells us otherwise.

Go Long!

How far can they fly? While most mosquito species prefer to stay close to their places of birth, some species aren’t afraid to rack up the frequent flier miles. The Saltmarsh mosquitoes are one such species. While their average travelling distances range from 20 to 40 miles, extraordinary circumstances along with a convenient updraft have seen this species travel up to 100 miles from its breeding spot. These migrations are usually in the search of nectar or hosts for the mosquitoes to sustain themselves over a longer period of time. The fact that this specific species can fly so far is mostly because the journey is unidirectional and upwind.

On the other hand, the Asian Tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) has a far more limited flight range. Native to Southeast Asia, these mosquitoes are often averse to leaving home and maintain a flight range of 300 feet from their breeding site. To make up for its minimal range, the Asian Tiger mosquito can reach an altitude of up to 45 feet above the ground, while an average mosquito can only fly at an altitude of 25 feet or lower. Now while these two species are the extremes in terms of flight distance, it is safe to assume that the average mosquito has a flight range of 1 to 3 miles from the area it hatched in. Nevertheless, since mosquitoes travel on hosts, with adequate shelter and a host to constantly feed on, one might even say that a mosquito can go as far as its host can go.

So despite the fact that they have a limited flight range, research has shown us that mosquitoes are one of the most dangerous insects in the world. Ranging from malaria to yellow fever, mosquitoes have been known to carry and spread a number of highly lethal diseases. With a host possibly carrying a mosquito from one continent to another (and if it can survive the in-flight meal), it can create epidemics on a global level.

So the next time you hear the wing-induced signature buzzing of the mosquito, keep your swatter ready and your bug zappers on. They might be smaller than you and slower than you, but they are also trickier than you. So don’t give up and Happy Swatting!

 

How Do Egg-Laying Behaviors Vary Among Mosquito Species?

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So I Laid an Egg…

What you don’t know about the egg-laying behavior of mosquitoes might be very surprising to you. To begin with, mosquitoes obviously are very small creatures, and their eggs are microscopic. Because of this very important fact, mosquitoes can lay their eggs almost anywhere water is present. If you have noticed that the mosquito population appears to increase about a week after a heavy rain, this is why. The next generation of mosquitoes could come from eggs laid in leaves, in grass, in streams and rivers, and even in old coffee tins or jars.

What is also surprising is that even though mosquitoes usually have a life expectancy of just a few weeks, the mosquito population is very resilient because of the female’s ability to lay hundreds of eggs at a time. Even more shocking is the fact that some mosquitoes in arctic areas even hibernate, thus increasing their life cycle to up to a year.

Understanding Mosquitoes is “Egg”cellent

In order to understand the reproductive habits of mosquitoes, you have got to understand the adaptations of the different species of this pest. For example, floodwater mosquitoes tend to gravitate to fluctuating rivers and lakes. They can lay eggs in large numbers, and because of their extensive flight range, can become a nuisance to individuals even a moderate distance away.

Snow-melt mosquitoes are able to flourish under the snow after a freezing rainfall in swampy woodlands. Mosquitoes can reproduce in salt-water marshes, in fields with mud puddles, in swamps, rice fields, ditches, and even in damp soil or in tree trunks. Because of the propensity of mosquitoes to breed in small containers where water is present, their population can easily spread over hundreds and even thousands of miles through the transportation capacities of human beings.

The mosquito egg-laying process, called ovipositon, can take on various forms. Many species will commence oviposition directly on a body of water, and the eggs will form a “raft”. The eggs will align to create surface tension, allowing the egg “raft” to stay in place. Other species will be attracted to certain areas that have rich plant life, as their eggs have a method of “extracting or siphoning” the needed oxygen for their aquatic environment from the available plant life.

These are just but a few of the natural methods used to ensure the survival of eggs, larvae, and pupae of many species of mosquitoes.

Don’t “Egg” Mosquitoes On

Since mosquitoes are so easily adaptable within such minute aquatic settings, it can be a fairly daunting challenge to determine just how to avoid the proliferation of these insects. Although its difficult, prevention of mosquitoes is not impossible.

Most individuals realize that avoiding mosquitoes begins with the removal of standing water. Removing standing water in birdbaths, flower pots, old boxes, and other areas is an important first step. However, how does one get rid of standing water within holes in the ground or in trees? One trick that many have used would be to spread cooking oil all over the area, because females will avoid it and will not lay eggs in it.

Ensure that all areas with permanent standing water, such as pools or dog water dishes, are managed well. Pools need to be adequately filled with chlorine, and a pool cover needs to utilized often. Water dishes in dog bowls should not be allowed to stagnate; they should be changed daily not just for the avoidance of mosquitoes but also for the health of your dog.

Because some mosquitoes can reproduce under brush and in pockets of water under the grass, ensure that your yard is well-maintained and well-landscaped. By removing the habitat for mosquito reproduction, you will be able to ensure a safe environment with a lower amount of mosquitoes and avoid over-use of repellant, as well.

 

How do Mosquitoes Mate?

Posted on by k2Dev

There are not to many pleasant things people have to say about the tiny mosquito. You have learned about them in school and the illnesses they bring upon us, but has it ever crossed your mind how these little buggers got here to begin with? They do not just appear out of the water and start becoming blood thirsty zombies.

Have you ever thought about how the mosquito mates? Mosquitoes do not have a long life span to begin with. In fact you can count their entire life in a matter of days. So as you might imagine, these creatures have a strong innate need to reproduce quickly after becoming adults.

Introduction To The Love Song

Insects are quite mysterious creatures. They have parts on them that don’t exist on others and the uses for these parts can be surprising. For an example, the cricket. That chirping noise you hear, you would imagine it came from the throat of the insect but in fact, this little guy rubs his legs together to make such a noise. Insects are truly surprising and that does not exclude the mosquito.

As a flying insect, it is very important that their wings stay in great health. Would you be surprised if I told you that those same wings take a role in mating? Well they do and it’s kind of romantic. To humans and everyone else around, the beating of the wings can sometimes sound like an annoying whine. But to the mosquito, this is the music of love.

How Harmonizing Works

When mosquitoes start to beat their wings together they begin harmonizing a very high pitched whine to impress their mates. This is how they end up finding their perfect mate. It can get a little wild out there in the insect world considering there are so many different forms of mosquito. So the insect plays at a pitch that ensure a match who is almost completely physically identical to them will appear.

It has been said that the harmony is so completely different and strong that two forms of mosquito can live in the same area and end up becoming separated. This seems to be a way of protecting genetic diversity, and thus, the species. During this process, the mosquito also beats its wings at a certain timed frequency. This can ensure that the species of mosquito adaptable to the environment will still be able to survive once they have hatched. Mosquitoes are also one to mate while staying in flight.

The Reproduction Process

After the mosquito has found its perfect mate, the dance of love will commence. Males will then fertilize the female. The reproduction cycle does rely on the water habitats. The female mosquito will then find her way down to the water to find a suitable place to lay her eggs. This is important for the immature stage of life.

The beginning stages of life for a little mosquito will be mainly aquatic. The male and female mosquitoes will remain on the outskirts of where they laid there eggs. Males will feed on plant fluid while the female will be looking for blood as a source of protein for reproduction. The female is the only mosquito that will do this. Mosquitoes will look for a blood meal from both humans and animals.

After she has had her fill, she will then find a place to rest and digest for the developing eggs inside. After that, the female will then fly off to lay her eggs. It all starts with a love song.

 

Differences Between Male and Female Mosquitoes

Posted on by k2Dev

The differences between male and female mosquitoes are important to know, particularly if you are experiencing a mosquito problem at your home or in your community, or if you are concerned about the spread of disease. While both male and female mosquitoes are prevalent around the world, and have certain similar behaviors, there are some important differences between them.

The Differences Between Male and Female Mosquito Life Cycles

The first big difference between male and female mosquitoes is in their life cycles. Male mosquitoes typically live for about a week once they reach adulthood. Even putting male mosquitoes in ideal environmental conditions has not been shown to be effective in lengthening the amount of time they live.

Female mosquitoes, however, can live for up to two weeks in most places, and when put into ideal environmental conditions, their life spans can be increased to a month or more. This is a big biological difference between male and female mosquitoes, and so far, researchers have not discovered the reason why the life span of male mosquitoes can not be expanded, while the female mosquito life span can be increased dramatically in the right conditions.

The Differences Between Male and Female Mosquito Appearances

Though you can’t see it with the naked eye, male and female mosquitoes have a very different appearance when viewed under a microscope. The difference centers on their proboscis, which is the long, pointed part of their body that comes out of their mouth, which they use to gather food.

The male mosquito has a proboscis with a feather-like appearance. It has wisps all along and around it that make it look bushy.

Female mosquitoes, on the other hand, have a smooth proboscis. If you could see this with the naked eye, you would know right away which mosquitoes to stay away from and which were harmless.

The Differences Between the Feeding Habits of Male and Female Mosquitoes

The feeding habits of male and female mosquitoes is the main thing that makes one an annoyance and one harmless. Only the female mosquitoes eat blood, so only female mosquitoes bite people and animals (and thus, only female mosquitoes can spread diseases).

Female mosquitoes must eat a meal of blood in order to supply them with the protein they need to develop and lay their eggs. In order to consume the blood, they must first use their proboscis to inject saliva into the person or animal they are feeding on. Their saliva has an anti-coagulant agent in it that prevents the blood they suck from clotting and rendering it inedible to them. The saliva is how viral diseases are spread.

Male mosquitoes, on the other hand, do not consume blood. They only need to consume food that produces energy for them, so they stick to sweet things like nectar and fruit juices. Male mosquitoes do not bite people or animals, and so are not a health concern.

The Most Important Differences Between Male and Female Mosquitoes in the Mosquito World

While not as important a difference to humans, the fact that male mosquitoes have one use and one use only – the production of sperm – is very important in the mosquito world. A male mosquito’s sole job in life is to mate with as many female mosquitoes as possible and deposit their sperm. After that, they are no longer needed in mosquito society.

A female mosquito needs to mate just once in her life. She stores the sperm in her body and fertilizes her eggs as she lays them. Female mosquitoes are responsible for producing healthy eggs that will hatch the next generation of mosquitoes, so their role among mosquitoes is of primary importance, and more complex than that of the male.

 

Where Did Mosquitoes Originate and How Did They Evolve?

Posted on by k2Dev

Mosquitoes are one of nature’s most hated insects. Their tendency to snack on humans, leaving itchy red bumps in their wake, is reason enough for most people to add the mosquito to their list of annoying bugs. Mosquitoes can also be the carriers of deadly diseases in some areas, rendering them something to be afraid of in the eyes of many. Despite this annoyance, mosquitoes are amazing creatures with a rich evolutionary past.

The Beginning: The Evolution of the Mosquito

According to scientific studies, it is believed that mosquitoes are actually in the same family as the house fly. Approximately 200 million years ago the mosquito began its transformation into the creature we know and see today. These studies also show that the modern mosquito looks and behaves very similarly to its predecessors.

The first time the mosquito made its entrance into the world was approximately 79 to 100 million years ago. Scientists have discovered multiple pieces of amber with fossilized mosquito-like insects inside. These insects have been linked to the modern-day mosquito and are likely its earlier evolutionary stages. Mosquitoes are still evolving, and their changes are being tracked today by contemporary scientists.

The Modern Mosquito

As a constantly changing species, the mosquito has presented new information and challenges to scientists across the centuries. The mosquito has evolved into quite a hardy insect that can meet the challenges of living and thriving in many different types of modern environments.

The best mosquito habitat is a hot and moist areas with stagnant water (such as a still pond) in which to lay their eggs. However, mosquitoes have also established successful breeding grounds in some frozen areas of the arctic. The only place mosquitoes cannot live is Antarctica.

Some mosquitoes can breed in puddles or containers filled with water or even in areas with polluted, acidic, or brackish bodies of water. Like most animals and insects, mosquitoes are still dependent upon their environment to gain the proper amount of time for their life cycle and find enough food even despite their ability to live in many different climates.

There are many species of animals that eat insects as part of their diet. Mosquitoes are not a common menu item for most animals, but for some, they are the primary source of food. Dragonflies and damsel flies, as well as many different types of fish, feed primarily on mosquitoes in their various life stages.

Mosquitoes begin their life cycle as eggs, nourished by the blood extracted from hosts (like humans or animals). They are laid by the female mosquito in or around bodies of water. These eggs hatch into larvae within 2-4 days and continue to live just beneath the surface of the water, breathing through small tube-like chambers. Approximately one week after hatching, larvae become pupae, remaining within the water and developing slowly into adult mosquitoes. Once they have fully developed, the adults emerge from the water and dry their wings.

Male and female mosquitoes are incredibly different, both in behavior and abilities. Male mosquitoes will search for nectar to eat, while females will seek out hosts from which to draw blood to nourish themselves and their eggs. Female mosquitoes can lay up to 100 eggs at a time. Male mosquitoes do not eat blood.

The modern mosquito has become more hardy and resistant to disease, as well. Mosquitoes in some areas of the world, such as Africa, are vectors of diseases like malaria, West Nile Virus, and yellow fever. When infected female mosquitoes approach humans and animals to acquire a blood meal, the disease can spread through the contact.

Mosquito Bite Prevention and Remedies

If mosquitoes are a problem near your home, there are measures that can be taken to reduce their population or restrict their ability to breed. Mosquitoes live and breed around stagnant water, so it is important that such areas are drained or removed if possible. Putting screens on windows can prevent mosquitoes from entering and becoming a nuisance inside the home. Mosquito repellants come in spray and cream form, and can help prevent mosquitoes from approaching short-term.

 

The Anatomy of a Mosquito

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Amazing Facts You Need to Know About Mosquito Anatomy

Mosquitoes are a family of small flying insects. Most mosquito species feed on either nectar or blood. One interesting fact with mosquitoes is that only the female species feed on blood while the male solely feeds on nectar.

Mosquitoes are known to transmit diseases to humans. Some of these diseases include malaria, yellow fever and filariasis. As a result, mosquitoes are regarded as very dangerous insects because they are usually responsible for a number of deaths, especially in marginalized regions such as Africa and South America. This is why scientists today are investing in mosquito-related research.

Anatomy

Mosquitoes vary in body length and most of these insects average approximately 5 to 6 mm long. Just like other insects, a mosquito’s body is divided into three main parts – the head, thorax, and abdomen. A typical mosquito weighs about 3 milligrams. Male species come with a lifespan of approximately 7 days while the female species has a lifespan of around 14 days, however, when mosquitoes are kept in captivity they can live for up to one calendar month.

The head is usually specialized for feeding. It contains sensory organs which are in the form of antennas and compound eyes. The compound eyes are located towards the occiput on different sides. The compound eyes are composed of ommatidia. These are hexagonal lenses that are capable of detecting very slight movements. The upper eye region has ocelli, which are basically simple eyes that are photosensitive. These eyes normally react to changes in light.

The antennas are segmented and hairy across their lengths. They are capable of detecting the carbon dioxide contained in human breath from a distance of more than 30 meters. The maxillary palps are located between the antennas. They are used to locate the host through the unique scent of human sweat. This is because they are capable of detecting chemicals present in sweat like ocentol. The maxillary palps are also used to detect good breeding grounds using the specific odors produced in stagnant waters.

The mosquito’s head also has a proboscis, which is an organ through which the mosquito feeds. It is an elongated, hollow protuberance with a sting like end. The proboscis is longer in female species. The sting like end is serrated and is used to pierce the surface of the skin when feeding. The hollow part of the proboscis is composed of two tubes. The first tube injects mosquito saliva into the surface under the skin. The saliva contains a mild painkiller and an anti-coagulant. The painkiller is what ensures that human beings rarely feel any pain until the mosquito is done feeding. The anticoagulant prevents the blood flow from stopping due to clotting action.

The thorax is the middle part of the mosquito body. A pair of wings used for locomotion protrudes outwards from the thorax and the legs of the mosquito are normally attached to the thorax. There are six legs in total. These legs have claws that are used as grip on the human skin when feeding blood.

The abdomen is the final segment of a mosquito’s body. It acts as both as a respiratory and digestive system. It also stores the eggs of the female mosquito. A nerve in the stomach signals when the abdomen is full to stop the blood sucking process. It has spiracles which are small openings on the lower sides through which air is drawn in courtesy of the diffusion process. Markings and shape variations on the abdomen are used to identify the different species of mosquitoes by taxonomists.

A Few Interesting Facts

Mosquitoes are attracted to the smell of feet and cheddar cheese. Also due to the use of a high to low pressure system to suck blood, if you flex your muscle while the mosquito is feeding, it is likely to explode.