How Do Mosquitoes Get Their Blood?
WouterGenerally speaking, mosquitoes are known as blood-suckers. They feed on a variety of sources including human, animal, and plant blood. They also use nectar from flowers.
However, some species of mosquitoes are strictly vegetarians. Others will eat people, animals, and cold-blooded creatures, and they are attracted to scents and heat. Other mosquitoes prefer marshes or nutrient-rich waters.
The life cycle of a mosquito is short, typically less than 10 days. It starts with the female laying eggs, which live in marshes, ponds, or lakes. If the temperature is right, the larvae develop quickly. They look like tiny worms. They eat algae and bacteria, and they also consume organic material in water. They also poop in liquid or semi-solid form.
The males do not bite humans or animals. They mainly feed on nectar from flowering plants. They will drink blood from mammals and reptiles.
A female mosquito needs blood to mate and to lay eggs. But she can also survive for two to three weeks without blood. The nutrients she gets from a blood meal are stored separately from the eggs she lays.
If you’ve ever seen a mosquito bite, you’ve probably wondered how they are able to get enough blood to eat. Scientists have discovered a secret. They use specialized mouthparts called stylets. These pierce the skin and find blood vessels. The mosquito uses its saliva to lubricate the opening. It can then suck the blood into the mouth.
When a person is bitten by a mosquito, the insect injects an anticoagulant into the bloodstream. Its wings beat about 1,000 times a second. This makes it easy for it to fly. The body also produces carbon dioxide and scents to attract the mosquito. The combination of the injury to the skin and the saliva creates a stinging sensation.
