How Much Blood Do Mosquitoes Need?
WouterHaving blood helps mosquitoes perpetuate their species. Adults have about 5.5 million microliters of blood. The amount varies by age, gender, and body weight. It takes 3-5 days for blood to digest. If a mosquito eats too much blood, it will be unable to walk. The resulting sting can be itchy.
Blood contains proteins necessary for laying eggs. Adult mosquitoes live for two to four weeks, depending on temperature and species. They can also carry viruses and germs from infected people and animals. They are capable of biting more than one person at a time.
Mosquitoes are able to sense the antigens of blood types in people’s saliva and tears. They also are able to sense the color of clothing. Mosquitoes tend to bite people with a specific blood type, such as type O. The Asian tiger mosquito is common in North America. It is known to carry West Nile virus and malaria.
A study from 1974 found that mosquitoes prefer to feed on people with type O blood. Scientists have studied the blood feeding behavior of mosquitoes since then. They have found that female mosquitoes lay up to 200 eggs after a blood meal. They also collect about three milligrams of blood from a single bite.
Male mosquitoes ingest 0.5 milliliters of blood. They have short mandibles, which can penetrate layers of skin.
Female mosquitoes are unable to reproduce without blood. They also lay eggs that can carry viruses and parasites. Typically, they consume only five microliters of blood in one meal.
