How Much Blood Do Mosquitoes Drink?
WouterUnlike most animals, mosquitoes do not need a lot of blood to survive. They ingest five millionths of a liter in a single serving.
The amount of blood a mosquito needs to survive is dependent on its weight. Adult humans have a blood volume of 5.5 million microliters, or about the volume of a dried mustard seed. During a typical day, an adult human could lose as much as half his blood.
Male mosquitoes are not particularly keen on human blood, but they do prefer nectar-producing plants. A recent study found that male mosquitoes will feed on blood if the sugar content is at least 10%.
Female mosquitoes, on the other hand, only drink blood. The volume of blood a female mosquito ingests in a meal is estimated to be around five millionths of a liter.
Scientists have long sought to understand the anatomy of a mosquito bite. Researchers have performed numerous studies on the various parts of a mosquito’s mouthparts. They have used microscopes to determine the details of a mosquito’s feeding system. However, performing surgery on individual mosquitoes is not an efficient way to control their population.
Scientists have found that a female mosquito will lay about ten broods in its lifetime. Without blood, these female mosquitoes cannot lay eggs. This leads to a large metabolic challenge for the mosquito.
Mosquitoes have a knack for detecting blood-type antigens in saliva, but not all mosquitoes are interested in blood. Some species will nibble on reptiles, or will feed on other animals. Regardless of the type of mosquitoes found in your neighborhood, it is a good idea to wear insect repellent.
