Four Incredible Mosquito-Related Facts

Think you know mosquitoes? Perhaps these incredible mosquito facts are not in your knowledge bank.

Yeah, we know, mosquitoes are not incredible in a positive sense of the word, but there are some fascinating mosquito-related facts you might not know about. Mosquitoes, loathsome as they are, scientifically speaking, play a pretty interesting role in the biosphere.

1. Some mosquito species’ larvae are cannibals

Mosquitoes and their larvae provide sustenance quite a few types of animals. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, bats, other insects, and fish. Even chickens eat mosquitoes too! Conversely, mosquitoes and their larvae eat a variety of things. Adult males enjoy nectar, and females eat nectar for sustenance and blood for reproduction. In their aquatic pupal and larval phases of life, mosquitoes eat algae and microscopic organisms. But Toxorhynchites mosquito larvae will feed on the larvae of other mosquitoes.

2. Mosquitoes can sense you from about 100 yards

Mosquitoes have evolved hyper-sensitive sensory mechanisms by which they find their blood meal targets. This can be anything from the color you’re wearing to what you are eating or drinking. It’s not the beer or other alcohol product they’re after – it’s the carbon dioxide you expel while drinking alcohol. It’s not the sweat you produce while running or working outside, it’s your heavy breathing that brings mosquitoes near.

3. GMO Mosquitoes Exist

That’s right! Science has given us genetically modified mosquitoes in recent years. These male mosquitoes have altered genomes, which cause their offspring to die. This is one way that the scientific community is studying how to help us fight mosquito-borne illnesses in high-risk areas, by reducing their populations.

4. Mosquitoes are pollinators

Because both male and female mosquitoes both have nectar in their regular diets, they transfer pollen from one flower to another. However, they are not among our primary pollinators. That designation belongs to moths, butterflies, and bees. It’s safe to say that mosquitoes transmit more mosquito-born illnesses than pollen – in doing so, they have become the deadliest of all animals on the planet!

Search for mosquito control companies near me and call Mosquito Squad!

Don’t suffer mosquitoes in your backyard or at your special event. Mosquito Squad provides fast-acting mosquito control, tick control, and pest control services near you in the Greater St. Louis area. Schedule your free pest assessment and quote by calling (314) 582-3980 or filling out our online form. 

Also read: Kid Friendly Mosquito Control for Your Backyard