Why Do Mosquitoes Need Blood to Survive?

Depending on the species, adult mosquitoes can live for 2 to 4 weeks. During this time they feed on nectar, plant juices and algae. They can also be vectors of disease pathogens such as dengue fever and malaria. They can spread germs from infected people and animals.

Female mosquitoes are also an autogenous vector of protozoan and viral infections to vertebrate hosts. They lay about ten broods of eggs in their lifetime. These broods are incubated for 24 to 48 hours. During this time, the females excrete blood-derived water. They then eat the blood from their host.

When an adult mosquito feeds on a blood meal, they drink four times their body weight. They then use the blood as energy to perform several processes such as flying and laying eggs. The metabolic demands of this process pose a great challenge to the female.

The mandibles of the male mosquitoes are shorter than those of the females. This allows them to penetrate through the skin layers. Compared to the female, the male mandibles have shorter labral food canals, which regulate the size of the mouthpart.

The mouthparts of the female mosquitoes function as hooks. These hooks are attached to the mouthpart, which allows the mosquito to pierce the host’s skin and draw out the blood-derived water.

The blood of the host is the primary source of protein for the female mosquitoes’ egg formation. It is important that the blood of the host contains large amounts of protein. Without the right amount of protein, the female cannot produce the eggs that are needed to survive.

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