How High Do Flies and Mosquitoes Fly?

Flies and mosquitoes are capable of flying up to 6,000 meters (or 19,685 feet) in the air. However, these creatures will not thrive at this high altitude, which makes them more common at low elevations. In fact, some flies and mosquitoes have been found to survive at more than 3,000 feet in the air.

In order to get airborne, mosquitoes flap their wings as fast as eight hundred times per second, more than any other insect. This is about four times the rate that other insects fly, and the amount of energy required to do this is massive. This is the source of the high-pitched sound that is emitted by the insects.

While the majority of mosquitoes are unable to fly far from their breeding grounds, the saltmarsh mosquito can reach up to 40 miles. Although most mosquitoes cannot fly that far, some species are able to migrate between different regions, and they can establish new breeding grounds far from where they are currently found.

Although some species of mosquitoes are able to fly as high as 8,000 feet, most do not prefer this altitude. In fact, many species are found in high-altitude environments such as a cave in the Himalayas or the pits of the mines. They do prefer lower altitudes over higher ones. This may be due to the scarcity of oxygen and the cooler temperatures.

Continue reading:

Why Can Flies Fly at Night? Correct Spelling of “Flies” What Are Flies Associated With? Where Does Bot Fly Parasitic Insects Come From? What Size Flies For Brook Trout? When to Use the Word “Fly” How Much Do Flies Multiply? How Do Flies Have Sex?