10 Interesting Facts About Mosquitoes
When summer is just around the corner with the longer days, warm weather, BBQ’s and not to mention the start of festival season. Unfortunately, there is one insect which just loves to ruin your fun………….mosquitoes!
They’re going to be around and there’s not much you can do so, here are some interesting facts about mosquitoes you need to know!
- Only Female Mosquitoes Bite
Well that dispels a myth as we’re sure we all thought all mosquitoes bite, but no it is only the female that like to use us as humans a tasty snack.
So why do mosquitoes bite?
Your blood protein and other compounds provide mosquitoes with a tasty feast that is essential to help them produce and develop their eggs.
- Mosquitoes are the World’s Most Deadly Creature
When asked the question what do you think is the world’s deadliest creature, we probably start thinking of sharks, tigers, crocodiles or even spiders or snakes as well as other more exotic creatures.
Well, it may shock you to learn that it’s actually the humble mosquito and its all down to the harmful diseases that they can spread.
Mosquitoes are responsible for spreading several harmful diseases such as Malaria, Zika and Dengue to name a few. It is believed that as a result of this, mosquitoes are responsible for around 1 million deaths per year!
- Mossy’s Make Terrible Olympians
Well in terms of comparison to other insects such as flies and wasps, mosquitoes aren’t the strongest of fliers and are quite slow. It is estimated that these biting insects can only fly at speeds between 1 and 1.5 mph. So….carry on swatting away!
- You Ever Seen a Mossy Dance?
It has recently been discovered that before mating mosquitoes engaged in a sort of dance which involves beating their wings in a call-and-response type of manner. Amazing right?!
- Mosquitoes Love CO2
To be honest they have a bit of an addiction to it. Carbon dioxide is one of the main ways in which mosquitoes locate their next feast. They use a special organ called a maxillary palp to follow the smell of CO2 released from our breath.
- There are Thousands of Mossy Species
According to the American Mosquito Control Association (yep there is one….), there are over 3,000 different species of mosquito throughout the world.
- Mosquitoes are Greedy
We all know mosquitoes like to enjoy the tastiness of human blood. But did you know they can drink a ridiculous amount of blood based on their body size. Studies have revealed that mosquitoes are able to drink 3 times their own body weight in blood.
- Mosquitoes Don’t Live Long
Lucky for us we don’t have to worry about one mosquito becoming the bane of your existence causing itchy bites for eternity because they aren’t around for too long. It is estimated that mosquitoes live less than 2 months. But be aware, they breed like rabbits on steroids.
- Mosquitoes are Very Old
Mosquitoes are as old as the Dinosaurs, with evidence of these biting insects dating back to the Triassic Period! If you’ve seen the film Jurassic Park then this comes as no surprise as you’ll know that they used the blood found in fossilised mosquitoes to clone the infamous creatures to fill the park.
- Mosquitoes Don’t Just Bite Humans
You’ll no doubt be pleased to know that not every mosquito has a craving for human blood. Some species prefer to consume their blood cravings from other animals such as frogs and birds.