The mosquito is a creature we are all familiar with. They are usually most associated with annoyance and irritation, but it turns out there are quite a few interesting things about them. Here is part one of our list.
Number Fifteen: Female Mosquitoes Need Blood for Their Eggs
This is because the females need the protein found in blood to help their eggs grow. After getting her fill of blood, she will rest for some time before laying her eggs.
Number Fourteen: The Male Mosquito Is Completely Passive
While female mosquitoes are out feeding on blood, the males are much less annoying and do not feast on blood. They can usually be found out among the flowers seeking out nectar to feed on.
Number Thirteen: More than 3,500 Species Exist
About 175 of these are found in the U.S. The rest of them exist throughout the world, being more common in warmer areas, especially where there is a lot of moisture.
Number Twelve: Males Locate Females by Wing Sounds
The male mosquitoes seek out a mate by listening for the sounds of a female’s wings. The female beats her wings at about 500 times per second, and the male is able to pick up this frequency.
Number Eleven: They Can Smell Human Breath
Using receptors on their antennae, these creatures detect carbon dioxide in the air from a distance. This helps them seek out their next meal.
Number Ten: Some Scents Deter Them
Since these irritating bugs find their way to us via following our breath trails, this may be good information to remember. Certain scents can stun the breath detector on a mosquito, including chocolate and mint, making it harder for them to find a direct path to us.
Number Nine: The Deadliest Animal on the Planet
Yes, insects are considered animals (something I was not aware of), and mosquitoes are considered the most deadly that exist in our world. Particularly the Anopheles mosquito, which transmits malaria and kills over a million people each year, especially in Africa. We hope you enjoyed part one of this list of facts about mosquitoes. Be sure to check back soon for part two!