Mosquitoes are insects that feed on the blood of other animals.
The word mosquito means "little fly" in Spanish. There are nearly 3,000 species of mosquitoes all over the world. The insects are specifically adapted for sucking blood from other animals. However, only the females do this because they need the protein to reproduce; males nourish from plant nectars. Mosquitos are notorious spreaders of diseases like malaria, among others. Does this Spark an idea?
The Yellow Fever Mosquito
The Yellow Fever Mosquito is a small, dark insect with distinctive white markings. As its name suggests, it spreads yellow or dengue fever. They are found mainly in the tropics as temperatures below freezing kill them. Females can live up to a month but males live much shorter lives. However, eggs can survive up to a year when dry. Though abundant in areas of human settlement they rarely fly further than 100 yards from a breeding site.
Mosquito Hawk
The Mosquito Hawk is very large for a mosquito, with a wingspan of 0.4 inches and a body length of 0.2 inches. The larvae of this species eats the larvae of other mosquitoes. Because of this, people have tried to use them to control other mosquito populations. Adults do not feed on blood and don't carry disease. They eat sugary substances like nectar instead.
Alaskan Snow Mosquito
Alaskan Snow Mosquitoes generally live in subarctic wooded areas, though some have ventured into mountainous regions. Despite a large range, which extends into Siberia and the Caucasus, they are not common insects. Adults hibernate during the winter under snow. Once awakening in the spring, the females, which live up to 12 months, gorge on blood before breeding and laying eggs in shallow pools.
Polynesian Tiger Mosquito
The Polynesian Tiger Mosquito lives on the islands of the South Pacific. Primarily a daytime feeder, it consumes blood from pigs, dogs, horses and birds as well as humans. This species does not transmit diseases to its offspring and mating males do not pass them to females. These mosquitoes acquire diseases like lymphatic filariasis through animals and people that are already infected.
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