How Much Blood Can a Mosquito Drink?
WouterDespite the fact that mosquitoes are known to spread diseases such as malaria and West Nile, they are not necessarily the most efficient bloodsuckers. In fact, a recent study has found that they are not as interested in green and blue colors as they are in orange and red.
A mosquito’s proboscis is a complex system of six thin needle-like mouthparts. Each of these parts has its own function. They are designed to pierce the skin and sense odor.
The most effective way for a mosquito to suck blood is through an incision made in the mosquito’s ventral nerve cord. This cuts off the signal to stop feeding. As a result, the mosquito will continue to eat and drink, causing it to burst.
The female mosquito can drink up to three times its body weight in blood during one meal. But that’s not all. The female can also secrete enzymes to break down proteins in the blood.
A female mosquito will then lay eggs in a process that takes about two to three days. She can then go a full six months without eating. But if she’s trapped, she will die within four days.
The amount of blood a human carries varies by age and weight. An average adult has about 5.5 liters of blood.
The Asian tiger mosquito is a common biter in North America. This species is so large that it would need to eat around 6,300 square centimeters of human skin to drain its own blood.
