Do Mosquitoes Eat Plants?
WouterDespite mosquitoes’ reputation for blood sucking, they actually feed on plant nectar. They don’t need blood for reproduction, but they do want a meal for their energy needs. They will also occasionally indulge in carnivorous cravings.
Some mosquito species only feed on plants. Other mosquito species prefer to eat blood from animals and birds. Depending on the habitat and seasonal availability, the choice of plant may vary.
Mosquitoes have olfactory systems to detect flowers. Some species have a stronger preference for particular types of flowers. Some species can detect flowers by visual systems without the need for olfactory cues.
Adult mosquitoes primarily feed on plant nectar. Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by plants in glands called nectaries. The sugars in nectar provide the energy needed for mosquitoes to fly. They also serve as a signal to insects that the plant is a food source.
Some mosquitoes, including Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles gambiae, feed on blood. Females of these species can consume blood as early as eight hours after eclosion. They will also take larger blood meals to compensate for limited sources of sugar.
Another major source of nutrition for mosquitoes is honeydew. The enzymes in the foregut dissolve the nectar. The sugars promote nectar feeding when the mosquito is close to the plant.
In addition to plant nectar, mosquitoes also feed on fruit and aphid honeydew. Some insect species, including wasps and fruit flies, also prefer plants with yeasts. This is because the yeasts in plant nectar function as a signal to insects.
