How Mosquitoes Came to Be
WouterThousands of years ago, before the first Europeans arrived in the Americas, mosquitoes were not a major threat to human health. They didn’t even know that they were capable of spreading diseases. However, after Europeans arrived, these blood sucking pests became a huge problem. And since the early 19th century, millions of people have died from these stinging creatures.
Eventually, scientists discovered that these tiny little mosquitoes were the cause of countless deaths. They were the primary vectors for diseases like malaria and yellow fever. As more Africans developed immunity, the number of people infected with these deadly diseases dropped.
However, researchers found that only a very small fraction of the more than 3,500 known species of mosquitoes have evolved to specifically target humans. This is largely because of climate change and urbanization. Consequently, more human bites will occur as a result of increased city life.
Interestingly, a female mosquito is able to take in three times her weight in blood in just 90 seconds. Her blood serves as a protein source for her eggs. The mosquito uses a proboscis to feed, which helps her get into the skin of the human. It also contains proteins that evoke an immune response.
Researchers analyzed the evolutionary history of the mosquito, including how the insect adapted to different environments. They also looked at what mosquitoes’ preferences are for the smell of other animals.
The female mosquito’s abdomen expands when she takes a blood meal. She then passes unwanted liquid blood to her young. The animal may have mistaken its own blood for the nectar of a newly blooming plant.
