How Fast Do Mosquitoes Fly?

Depending on their environment, some mosquito species can fly as high as 950 feet above sea level. Others prefer to stay close to their breeding ground, and can fly as far as seven miles away. The average speed of a mosquito is between one and 1.5 miles per hour.

Most mosquito species prefer to stay in the vicinity of their breeding area. They will often move in search of mates and food. Some will even travel as far as 100 miles from their birthplace in search of a suitable habitat.

Mosquitoes use three different aerodynamic techniques to support their weight. These include rotational drag, trailing edge vortex, and leading edge vortex. They begin their flight by flapping their wings for about thirty milliseconds before jumping into the air.

They then use swiveling motions to create pockets of air around them. These pockets keep the mosquitoes afloat and allow them to launch into the air. They can flap their wings up to 800 times per second.

Mosquitoes can evade human hands by flying right over their swatting efforts. They can also use subtle wing rotations to avoid detection. Some species will even “hitch ride” on equipment.

Researchers have discovered that mosquitoes are able to detect carbon dioxide in the air. This CO2 stimulates the visual area of their brains. They are then more accurate when tracking visual objects. They also use this CO2 to locate their victims.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is especially fond of human blood. It is known to carry many diseases, including Zika.

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