Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are small flying insects found almost everywhere on Earth. Only female mosquitoes bite and drink blood. They need the protein in blood to make their eggs. Male mosquitoes drink flower nectar instead. There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes.

How Mosquitoes Bite

Female mosquitoes have a long, thin mouthpart called a proboscis. They use it like a tiny needle to pierce skin and drink blood. When they bite, they inject saliva that stops the blood from clotting. This saliva is what causes the itchy bump you get after a bite.

Finding Their Target

Mosquitoes are very good at finding people to bite. They can detect carbon dioxide from your breath up to 150 feet away. They are also attracted to body heat and sweat. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk when the air is cooler.

Fun Facts

• Only female mosquitoes bite. Males only drink nectar from flowers.
• Mosquitoes can detect carbon dioxide from a person's breath up to 150 feet away.
• Mosquitoes have been on Earth for over 200 million years.

Did You Know?

Mosquitoes are considered the most dangerous animals in the world because they can spread diseases like malaria. Bed nets and bug spray help protect people from mosquito bites.