How Do Only Female Mosquitoes Bite?
WouterDespite being smaller, male mosquitoes aren’t prone to swarming around humans. Unlike female mosquitoes, they can’t locate humans on their own. They need to rely on a buzzing female to locate a suitable mate.
Mosquitoes are a bit of a misnomer because they have six legs. They lay their eggs in shallow stagnant water. These small insects are also capable of causing diseases. Some of these diseases are fatal. The mosquitoes have been known to spread diseases like malaria and dengue. The mosquitoes also spread the heartworm parasite.
The female mosquito has a proboscis designed to penetrate skin. This means that it can suck blood out of capillaries. Its saliva contains anticoagulants and vasodilators. When combined with an injury to the skin, this leads to a sting. It is also the source of many of the diseases that mosquitoes can transmit.
Depending on the species, adult mosquitoes can live for up to two or four weeks. They also live longer depending on the temperature and humidity. Some mosquitoes prefer wading pools and swamps.
The female mosquito’s saliva contains a cocktail of substances, including one that counters the usual defenses of the human body. This is the logical step in the female’s quest to obtain blood. This cocktail of substances also aids in the development of the female’s eggs.
The female mosquito also has a mouthpart designed to drain blood from the nearby blood vessels. In fact, it’s not hard to imagine the female mosquito sucking blood from a human’s body.
