Which Mosquitoes Are Bigger?
WouterDepending on the mosquito species, there are different sizes. Some species can be as small as a quarter of an inch long. Others can reach up to an inch. They are also categorized by their ability to fly. The largest mosquito in the world is called the Asian Tiger mosquito. It is found throughout the tropical areas of the world. It is a vector of Zika and other diseases. It is also considered to be the main vector of Dengue Fever in South America and North America.
Most mosquitoes are small insects, ranging from 0.1 to 0.15 inches in length. They have a tarsus at the end of their leg to help them stand on water. They have two large compound eyes. They have humped bodies and palps to sense the environment. They also have a proboscis for piercing skin to access blood. Generally, female mosquitoes are larger than males.
Male mosquitoes have feathery antennae and a wider proboscis. They have a lower pitch buzzing noise. They feed on nectar from flowers, fruit juices and water. They avoid contact with humans. Their larvae eat smaller mosquitoes. Their fecundity is higher than that of females. They are known to transmit diseases such as West Nile virus and Yellow Fever.
Most adults are small, ranging from 0.15 to 0.4 inches in length. They are agile fliers. They are capable of flying at a rate of about one mile per hour. They mainly live near water, but they can be found in any stagnant water. They may travel up to 20 miles from their breeding areas.
