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Why do only female mosquitos bite people?


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What is the scientific explanation for this?

They drink blood for the protein and iron which helps the development of eggs. Males don't develop eggs, so don't need the blood.

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito#Feeding_habits_of_adults

 

Two important events in the life of female mosquitoes are egg development and blood digestion. After taking a blood meal the midgut of the female synthesizes proteolytic enzymes that hydrolyze the blood proteins into free amino acids. These are used as building blocks for the synthesis of egg yolk proteins.
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  • 3 weeks later...

This goes along with something else I've heard: that it is only the male that makes that distinctive mosquito "whine". (supposedly to attract a mate)

 

This useful information, as anyone who has lived where mosquitos flourish has had the experience of lying in bed hearing that one mosquito whining around in the dark that we can't see. Now we can relax, because we know that it is a male and only the females bite. However, if you are lying there in the dark and hear nothing... :unsure:

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