How Much Do Mosquitoes Weigh?
WouterDepending on the species, mosquitoes can be a tiny, slender insect with a beak-like proboscis. In fact, all mosquitoes have a long proboscis, which allows the insects to swallow fluids.
There are approximately 2,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide. The most common types of mosquitoes are gray or brown in color, with wings and body scales. They are generally less than 15 mm in length.
They have a pair of halteres and long, many-segmented antennae. They can detect the smell of carbon dioxide from a distance of 60 to 75 feet. They can also detect body heat and natural skin oils.
The female mosquito has six mouthparts. Her labrium bends into a bow when she begins to bite. She uses the tip of the labium as a guide for the other mouthparts.
The female mosquito needs blood for egg development and reproduction. Her saliva contains an anticoagulant that keeps the blood moving. The adult female takes five millionths of a liter of blood in a single meal. She can take up to five bites before she is full.
The average adult human has 4.7 to 5.5 liters of blood. If an unprotected human was bitten by a single mosquito, half the blood supply would be lost in two hours. The amount of blood in an adult human varies by age and weight.
There are four life stages for mosquitoes. The development period depends on the species. Some species develop from egg to adult in as few as five days. Other species take longer. The development period is strongly influenced by the ambient temperature.
