The squeaking mosquito is a carrier of diseases and a troublemaker

Mosquitoes are small two-winged insects distributed throughout the world. In nature there are 3 thousand of them, and in Russia there are 100 species. All are characterized by a piercing-sucking structure of the oral apparatus and complete transformation. The squeak mosquito is the most common species in the temperate zone. The female needs blood feeding to lay eggs. It bites humans and warm-blooded animals. Mosquitoes are carriers of dangerous infections and parasites. The introduction of saliva into the wound leads to the development of allergies and eczema.

Mosquito jerk

The bell mosquito, or jerk, represents the order of Diptera and belongs to the chironomidae family.
These are insects with long legs that usually form numerous flocks and swarm near damp places or flock to a light source. Surely each of you who spent the summer relaxing at the dacha saw the bells circling in the summer air and filling the silence with their endless squeaking. In such flocks there are mainly males and are absolutely safe for humans and animals, since the ability to bite is not inherent in them. When sitting on some surface, they put out their front legs, their body freezes, but their paws constantly twitch. This is where their name comes from.

Features of existence

Being in the water in the form of larvae, these insects are the favorite food of some species of fish.

Such larvae can be found in bodies of water with stagnant water and a bottom covered with silt. They move in the water using special movements - like a snake, bending and unbending their back muscles, now to the right, now to the left. They slowly crawl along the bottom, clinging to surrounding plants and objects with their legs. The larva breathes on the surface of the body, and its coloring is due to a special phenomenon - its blood is saturated with hemoglobin, which is unusual for most insects. It is the bright red pigment that absorbs oxygen, which the larva gradually consumes.

The larva of the jerk lives at the bottom of the reservoir in which the female laid her eggs. It is packaged in a kind of cocoon in the form of a tube, which itself is built from silt and its own salivary glands. In order to rummage in the mud in search of food, the larva sticks its head end out of the tube and, when satiated, hides again in the muff.

Over time, pupation occurs. The bell's pupa has tracheal gills, which are presented in the form of bush-like bundles. At this stage, they do not swim anywhere and do not move along the bottom, but only motionless “hang” in the water, still being inside their clutch. Before rising to the surface of the reservoir, the body of the pupa is filled with air. This air cushion pushes it out of the water, the tube bursts and an insect with wings appears.

Squeaker mosquito

The body color is yellow, brown or gray. The chest is wider than the abdomen, consisting of 10 segments. The limbs are thin and long, there are 2 claws on the paw. Insects have only two fore wings, the hind wings are reduced. The transparent wings along the veins are covered with scales. The abdomen is covered with brown scales, on the underside there is a band of light yellow scales. The proboscis of the male squeaker mosquito has long hairs.

Benefits of mosquitoes

The mosquito is considered food for newts, fish, birds and other large insects.

These ubiquitous insects occupy by no means the last place in the ecological balance, because, having turned into an adult, the mosquito takes the most important microelements from the reservoir and enriches the soil with them after its own death.

Male mosquitoes, feeding on nectar, make their own contribution to plant pollination, spreading pollen on their legs in this way.

Mosquitoes, simply feeding on blood, supply it with anticoagulants, which reduce clotting. This is useful for that group of people who suffer from diseases associated with increased platelet levels.

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Life cycle

The lower part of the eggs is equipped with a special “hatch”. After 2-8 days, larvae emerge from the clutch. They need to gain strength and grow up. To do this, the newborn bloodworm feeds on protozoa, single-celled algae and bacteria. The body length of the larvae is only 1 mm. In the tail part there is a breathing tube with which they pierce the surface of the water and absorb atmospheric air. How many legs does the squeak mosquito have in its larval stage? Yes, they simply don’t exist! The slightest threat - and, wriggling its whole body, the bloodworm will hide in the water column.

In three weeks, the larva goes through 4 stages of molting. Their body increases in size to 8-10 mm, lengthening 8 times. After such metamorphoses, which are also accompanied by internal changes, pupae appear. They are sometimes called “devils” due to the presence of two respiratory processes in the head. Externally, the bloodworm looks like a tightly coiled worm, reminiscent of a comma.

The next stage of development ends in a week. Having shed the skin of the pupa, the mosquito spreads its wings and takes flight.

What does a mosquito eat?

Many people assume that regular mosquitoes and mosquitoes only feed on lymph. This is only partially true, since males and females have different eating preferences. The female mosquito bites animals and people in order to get a certain portion of protein. She needs this component for normal reproduction. The male insect prefers flower nectar. At the same time, it is impossible to distinguish a female from a male without a microscope and other devices. Among the existing species of mosquitoes, entomologists also identify vegetarians.

Active blood consumption has a scientific basis. Some people wrote a report and prepared scientific calculations. They contain brief information about dietary preferences, which serves as food for male and female mosquitoes. After all, blood-sucking pests do not attack all people. From a group of people resting in the forest or near a pond, the insect chooses a specific person. Therefore, people who are interested in them should learn everything about mosquitoes.

Differences between midges and mosquitoes

Midges and mosquitoes
Midges, like mosquitoes, prefer to live near bodies of water where they lay their eggs. But unlike female mosquitoes, the midge is capable of laying thousands of eggs during its short life of 1 month. This fecundity makes midges a worthy rival for squeakers.

To form offspring, midges need blood, which they receive as a result of biting the skin and licking the blood released from the wound. Midges do not transmit diseases and do not lay eggs under the skin of humans, as some types of flies do. But the painfulness of the bites and spoiled outdoor recreation made them enemies for people.

After breeding, midges tend to disappear, since their main purpose in life is fulfilled. And eggs laid in a river or stream independently form into an adult.

Habitat and lifestyle

Every person has had to wake up from the bite or annoying squeak of mosquitoes. This suggests a conclusion about their predominant way of life. Insects prefer to get food at night, and during the day they hide in dark shelters - among the grass, in cracks in the bark of trees.

The closer the river, swamp, lake, the greater the likelihood of encountering countless hordes of squeakers. This is due to their life cycle, part of which takes place in the aquatic environment. Parasites are ubiquitous. You will not find them except in the Arctic or desert, where they cannot reproduce.

During the winter, the parasite prefers to hide in the basements of residential buildings. The presence of small puddles and warmth allows them to “spend time productively.” The pupae develop into an adult, which flies into people's homes in search of food.

Lifestyle

The habitats of the squeak mosquito are coastal areas of water bodies, forests, forest-steppes, and urban areas. Adults settle near water, in basements and attics. In hot tropical regions, mosquitoes are active all year round. In areas with a temperate climate, insects enter diapause during the cold period. Only the female overwinters. Having settled in heated basements, mosquitoes can be active and breed all year round.

Males and females feed on plant nectar and various syrups. They are often spotted on sugar and sweet foods. Insects have weak wings and cannot fly in windy weather. In temperate climates, mosquitoes are active from May to October, but appear earlier in warm weather. How long a squeak mosquito lives depends on several factors:

• floor;
• amount of food;
• climatic conditions;
• natural enemies.

Favorable conditions (low temperature, sufficient food) can prolong the life of the female, and the male's life is limited to 18-19 days. Females of the summer generation live 1-2 months, females of the spring generation – up to 4 months. Moderate temperatures promote longevity:

• 25° - 42-43 days;
• 20° - 55-58 days;
• 10-15° - up to 120 days.

Reproduction

Young adults drink plant juice after emerging from the pupa. Females do without blood until it is time to reproduce and lay eggs. In the evening, in warm weather, you may notice mosquitoes swarming. It is observed near bodies of water, in meadows, near the crowns of trees or bushes, on paths. A cluster of insects moving in a vertical position facilitates the meeting of different-sex individuals. Males identify partners by sound and mate.

After fertilization, the female looks for a victim; she can drink blood from a bird, animal, or person. Blood serves as a source of beneficial nutrients necessary for the development of strong offspring. In search of a power source, she travels 5-12 km. The next step is to find a place suitable for laying.

The female lays from 20 to 200 oblong eggs, glued together in the form of a boat or raft. They do not drown and float freely on the surface of the reservoir. At first the masonry is white, then it darkens. Buoyancy is provided by the special shape of the egg. One end of it is wide and blunt. Laying is done every 2-3 days. In warm weather (23-25°), the embryo develops in 3-5 days. The larvae stay near the surface. In the first days of life, they are especially vulnerable and become victims of numerous aquatic predators.

Most of the larval stage is spent upside down. In this position, it hovers near the surface, filtering water with its oral appendages and swallowing algae, ciliates and rotifers. Having emerged from the egg, the larva has a body length of 1-2 mm; before pupation it reaches 6-7 mm. She goes through 3 molts and 4 instars.

Anatomy

The mosquito insect is distributed throughout the world, there are more than 3000 species, 38 genera. All have a similar structure, but differ in body size. They write a lot about mosquitoes in various sources; they study insects at school. The body structure is simple - head, chest, abdomen.

Head structure

The mouthparts of a mosquito deserve special attention. Includes upper, lower elongated lip, jaws. Inside the lips there is a groove with 12 needles. The jaws and tongue create a cavity for the passage of saliva.

One pair of long spines has projections called teeth. There are 50 of them in total. The insect tears the skin with its teeth. The next pair of needles acts as forceps and holds the wound open. The remaining needles hold the mosquito's proboscis and facilitate the flow of food. The long nose does not go completely under the skin, but reaches the blood vessels.

Female mosquitoes feed on blood. The insect injects saliva, which contains an anticoagulant that thins the blood. This prevents lymph from clotting and ensures a long supply of food. At one time, the female is capable of drinking about 5 ml of blood, with her own weight of 3 g; the number of bites depends on the behavior of the victim. The long nose of the male mosquito provides it with food from flower nectar and pollen.

The eyes are located on the sides of the head. Allows mosquitoes to see in infrared color. Thanks to this feature, insects determine the location of the prey by the outgoing heat. An infrared cloud forms around the body.

The structure of a mosquito's head

The mosquito's whiskers have a unique complex structure. Consist of 15 departments. Insects detect odors at a distance of up to 30 m, according to some reports – up to 1 km. The female clearly smells carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and sweat. Males are guided by the scent of flowers. The structure of the antennae differs between female and male individuals. In males they are made in the form of a brush, in females - in the form of twigs.

The mosquito does not have a brain, but throughout its body there are many nerve intertwinings that allow it to collect and analyze information and coordinate instincts.

Mosquito wings

The oblong transparent wings consist of transverse and longitudinal veins. Swing up to 30 mm. The other pair of wings is underdeveloped, serves as a guide, helps insects stay in the air, hovering for a while. The halteres create a certain squeak during flight, which indicates the presence of an insect. The special structure of the wings allows an ordinary small mosquito to cover a distance of 1 km; according to eyewitnesses, insects rise up to the 9th floor.

The surface of the wings is covered with small scales; the hind wings have a fringe. The flapping frequency in flight is 1 thousand times per second

During the mating period, the female flaps her wings more intensely, creating a certain sound - a squeak, which attracts the attention of males

With the help of a modified frequency of strokes, the fertilized insect makes it clear to the opposite sex that it does not require their attention.

The mosquito's legs are long, thin, only 3 pairs. All the same length. They hold the body in an upright position, as well as on any surface - smooth, slippery, liquid, hard, rough. The legs consist of a coxa, trochanter, femur, tibia, and tarsi. One pair ends with claws, all the rest with small suckers. Spikes are placed on the inner thigh.

Abdomen

Divided into 10 segments, the last 2 form the genital organ. At the end of the abdomen, up to 150 eggs mature at a time. From the second to sixth segments there are simple spiracles that form the mosquito's respiratory system.

The elastic cover allows the body to expand during pregnancy and absorb food. The color of the abdomen is gray, brownish. After feeding on blood, it acquires a characteristic red tint. Body size from 3 to 40 mm, depending on the species.

The heart of a mosquito is presented in the form of an elongated tube. Located under 1-7 segments of the abdominal cavity. Closer to the chest it passes into the aorta. Each segment of the abdomen has striae with valves that provide oxygen supply. The heart accelerates blood in different directions, supplying organs and tissues with nutritional components.

Breast

Consists of 3 segments, externally looks like a single whole. The most developed part is the middle part, to which the wings are attached. It also contains all the flight muscles. There are spiracles in the chest, where the metanotum plays a special role. Legs are attached to the segments.

The anatomy of a mosquito is well studied, as is its internal structure. However, the flying abilities of insects never cease to amaze. Pests are found on 50 floors of a multi-story building. To search for a food source, the female flies non-stop for 1 km. Calmly crosses the pond.

Mosquito diet

This mechanism makes it possible to detect the presence of a female during the mating season, because the male does not need to search for a victim at all. Its main diet consists of natural sugars. Mosquitoes find them in the nectar of burdock, tansy and other field herbs. The female's diet includes two components - in the period before mating, she eats like a male.

After mating dances, the insect becomes a real scourge of warm-blooded animals, looking for them to get enough blood. The squeak mosquito, whose six limbs allow a mature individual to sneak up on the victim unnoticed, can have a different body color, which contributes to its good camouflage. Representatives of the species, which have a brown tint, are barely visible on the bark of trees, and striped individuals are perfectly hidden among the grasses in the undergrowth.

What else do mosquitoes eat in the forest?

It is not at all easy to find blood in the forest, and therefore wild animals, birds, and fish can be donors of vital force for insects.

Despite their miniature and fragile appearance, these insects have a high ability to obtain blood. They are not stopped by any obstacles on the way: neither the thick fur of the animal, nor the rigidity of the feather cover of the bird. Mosquitoes are able to break through the cover of hard cow hair or “impenetrable” sheep wool and emerge from there after a couple of seconds with a “belly” full of blood.

The female mosquito bites into the most delicate frog skin and into the chicks that have not yet fledged. The mosquito proboscis is quite small in diameter, but the speed of the blood it sucks greatly exceeds the speed with which other bloodsuckers, such as a tick or louse, “suck.” The amount of blood entering the body of a female mosquito is several times less than the amount of blood sucked out by the horsefly. The mosquito and horsefly suck for the same amount of time, about 3-4 minutes.

Particular activity of mosquitoes increases in the hours after dawn and immediately after sunset.

Mosquitoes do not have hearing organs, but the receptors responsible for the sense of smell are so developed that a mosquito is able to fly hundreds of meters, sensing a potential victim at a distance. The smell of human sweat is a mosquito magnet. A mosquito can smell sweat several meters away and flies straight to the call of blood.

History of discovery

People have always known about mosquitoes, but this species was first scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Later in 1775, Forscal described the same species in Egypt under the name Culex molestus. They both bear close physical resemblance to each other, and scientists later agreed to distinguish these mosquitoes by their willingness to bite people. Culex molestus was more abundant in Alexandria, Rashid and Cairo. Ficalbi

) in 1890 proposed to call the squeaking mosquitoes that bite people “haematophagus”, and those that do not bite people, but feed only on nectar, to be called “phytophages”

Thus, in relation to Culex molestus, partial attention was paid to the degree of biting people; later their behavior was designated by the term “anthropophiles”

The siphon is located on the eighth segment of the abdomen and serves for breathing air. At the end of the siphon there are valves that close when the larva is immersed deep in the water. The larva moves thanks to the caudal fin on the last, ninth segment of the abdomen, consisting of setae.

Description and classification

The mosquito larva is called a bloodworm. Their color may vary depending on the species they belong to. In particular:

• The squeak mosquito has brown or black larvae.
• Malaria mosquitoes usually have green-colored babies.
• The bell is characterized by a red color.

At the time of birth, the size of the larvae usually does not exceed 2 millimeters; over time they can increase to 1 centimeter. They have 2 eyes, and on the ring of the body there is a special tube through which the process of their breathing is carried out. In addition, bristles are located throughout the body of the individual, thanks to which it can move in the water; they are called swimming hairs.

Lifespan of a mosquito

The main period of insect life is summer. The lifespan of a mosquito depends on a number of conditions:

1. Environmental temperature has a great influence on the development and life of insects. The most optimal range is from 10 to 15°C. The female lives in such conditions for about 3-4 months. At a temperature of about 20 degrees, its life expectancy in the absence of other harmful factors will be 2 months. If the temperature exceeds 25° above zero, the female will live no more than 40 days. In similar conditions, the male lives 2 times less than the female.
2. Where mosquitoes live, humidity plays an important role in creating favorable conditions for their development. That’s why insects so often choose damp basements, cool utility rooms, and pantries as their home. This is where you need to look for their clusters, trying to find out where the mosquitoes come from.
3. The availability of food is an important aspect for maintaining insect life. The mosquito menu depends on gender. Males feed on plant foods - nectar and plant juice. Females need a constant source of blood. It can be a person, an animal, an amphibian, or even a fish.
4. Natural enemies that feed on mosquitoes have a direct impact on the insect's life cycle. They are birds, other insects, and insectivorous animals. Humans also contribute to shortening the lives of bloodsuckers.

Under ideal conditions, a female mosquito can live for a whole year, surviving the winter in a state of torpor. It is not difficult to calculate how long an ordinary mosquito lives in real conditions. Typically, the life of a female lasts no more than 40 days, and males die after 20 days.

Scientific research has shown that the life expectancy of a mosquito is influenced by the following factors:

• floor;
• nutrition;
• habitat temperature;
• habitat.

As a result of research, it turned out that the life expectancy of a male is half that of a female. Why this happens has not yet been found out. However, the fact remains. If a mosquito feeds fully, then, naturally, its lifespan is extended. Males feed exclusively on plant nectars, but females do not recognize this type of food

They need blood, no matter whose, animal or human.

They have a special desire to drink blood after fertilization. However, they need blood not just to satisfy their hunger, but in order to breed. If the female is not satisfied after fertilization, this does not mean at all that she will not produce offspring. There will be offspring, but they will be very small and weak, and the female, having given “all of herself” to the offspring, dies. But if the female is satiated, then she will not only breed offspring, but will also remain alive.

Living temperature also affects the lifespan of these blood-sucking insects. The lower it is, the longer their life. So, at an average air temperature of 25 °C, the life expectancy of a female is 42 days; at a temperature of 10 °C, it can reach 115 days. Moreover, in both cases, males live half as long.

It is worth noting that now we were talking about the full life cycle of a mosquito, that is, from the egg state to reaching the “imago” stage - a full-fledged adult that is ready to mate and breed offspring.

If a female mosquito does not drink blood, all her vitality will be spent on producing offspring, and she herself will die

Types of mosquitoes

Practice includes several dozen species of these interesting insects; within the framework of the material, the most common varieties of different mosquitoes will be considered. This is a mosquito of the species centipede, anopheles, squeak and other individuals. Let's look at what types of mosquitoes there are according to classification, habitat and other characteristics.

Common mosquito (squeaker)

These types of mosquitoes can be found everywhere and are particularly annoying, with females infecting both people and domestic animals and livestock. The squeak mosquito is quite dangerous because its bites cause itching, burning and discomfort. The size characteristics of adult individuals reach parameters of the order of 3-8 mm; only females drink blood, while males feed on food of plant origin, mainly juices. The squeak mosquito can be a carrier of serious diseases; it spreads strains of viruses. Also, the mosquito (male or female) squeaker can carry infectious type eczema. The traditional mosquito of the genus squeaker is found in the middle zone, where a humid climate prevails.

Centipede

Centipede mosquito Karamor

The centipede mosquito is a long-legged mosquito that prefers to live in places with high levels of humidity. It usually settles near shallow bodies of water, in swampy areas, and in thickets of forest. A mosquito of the genus centipede can reach a length of 4 to 8 cm; it is often mistaken for a malarial insect, and this is a misconception. Karamor is the largest mosquito in the world. The centipede does not bite; the diet of the individual is dominated by juices of plant origin, so this insect does not pose a danger to humans. However, the centipede mosquito can cause irreparable damage to agricultural lands. Caramora larvae are especially voracious, preferring plants and algae, as well as the tender roots of newly formed plantings.

Malaria-type mosquitoes

This is far from the largest mosquito from this family of insects; on the contrary, it is small in size. According to their habitat, individuals can be found on any continent with the exception of Antarctica, where it is always cold. Mosquitoes of this type are found in the tundra and shady forests. The main external distinguishing feature of the individual is the presence of white stripes in the limbs and body. Eggs are laid in late autumn on the banks of swamps; humans rarely appear in this area. Adult mosquitoes carry dangerous diseases, and these mosquitoes kill people.

Winter insects

Compared to other species of individuals, this is a huge mosquito, which has external manifestations along with centipedes and large spiders. But there are enormous differences in terms of the lifestyle of insects. These are not blood-sucking mosquitoes that prefer to live in caves, inside stumps and trees that are half rotten. They feed on plant waste and pose no danger to humans. Adults can reach 20 mm in size. They are found all year round, even in the winter months, which is actually why they got their name.

This species is not a bloodsucker; on the contrary, individuals prefer to eat nectars of plant origin. In size, this is an ordinary mosquito that prefers to lay eggs in water or other moist, damp environment. During the growth stage, the larvae can eat the remains of algae or plant products, and sometimes they can take on the role of predators. Typically, such individuals prefer to settle in flooded meadows and in places where there is an abundance of moss.

The individual is harmless, life expectancy is only 2-5 days. Preferred habitats are dense thickets formed on ponds, small rivers or swamps. Individuals that have reached adulthood are usually dark brown in color and have long limbs. They often fly in clouds over bodies of water, but are not capable of harming humans, since they prefer a vegetarian diet.

Tiger mosquito

The Asian tiger mosquito is an insect to be wary of. It is native to Asia but has recently been discovered in Europe. The main harm of the insect is that it carries serious viral infectious diseases - malaria, typhoid, Dengue fever, ZIKA virus and other diseases accompanied by serious symptoms. Dengue fever and the Zika virus are a dangerous viral disease. This is a tropical mosquito, so it is found mainly in the wild. This is a small insect with two black and white wings.

Lifestyle

The habitats of the squeak mosquito are coastal areas of water bodies, forests, forest-steppes, and urban areas. Adults settle near water, in basements and attics. In hot tropical regions, mosquitoes are active all year round. In areas with a temperate climate, insects enter diapause during the cold period. Only the female overwinters. Having settled in heated basements, mosquitoes can become active and...

Males and females feed on plant nectar and various syrups. They are often spotted on sugar and sweet foods. Insects have weak wings and cannot fly in windy weather. In temperate climates, mosquitoes are active from May to October, but appear earlier in warm weather. How long a squeak mosquito lives depends on several factors:

• amount of food;
• climatic conditions;
• natural enemies.

Favorable conditions (low temperature, sufficient food) can prolong the life of the female, and the male's life is limited to 18-19 days. Females of the summer generation live 1-2 months, females of the spring generation – up to 4 months. Moderate temperatures promote longevity:

• 25° - 42-43 days;
• 20° - 55-58 days;
• 10-15° - up to 120 days.

Negative conditions for the existence of dipteran insects are drought, temperatures below 8°, at which they lose activity and stop feeding. In autumn, the last copulation of insects occurs. The males die, and the females search for winter shelter. They hide in cracks, under the bark, deep into the litter. City mosquitoes get into people's homes. If they find a suitable damp basement or container of water in a heated building, the reproduction cycle will not be interrupted for the winter.

Reproduction

Young adults drink plant juice after emerging from the pupa. Females do without blood until it is time to reproduce and lay eggs. In the evening, in warm weather, you may notice mosquitoes swarming. It is observed near bodies of water, in meadows, near the crowns of trees or bushes, on paths. A cluster of insects moving in a vertical position facilitates the meeting of different-sex individuals. Males identify partners by sound and mate.

After fertilization, the female looks for a victim; she can drink blood from a bird, animal, or person. Blood serves as a source of beneficial nutrients necessary for the development of strong offspring. In search of a power source, she travels 5-12 km. The next step is to find a place suitable for laying. This could be a body of standing water or a container.

The female lays from 20 to 200 oblong eggs, glued together in the form of a boat or raft. They do not drown and float freely on the surface of the reservoir. At first the masonry is white, then it darkens. Buoyancy is provided by the special shape of the egg. One end of it is wide and blunt. Laying is done every 2-3 days. In warm weather (23-25°), the embryo develops in 3-5 days. The larvae stay near the surface. In the first days of life, they are especially vulnerable and become victims of numerous aquatic predators.

Most of the larval stage is spent upside down. In this position, it hovers near the surface, filtering water with its oral appendages and swallowing algae, ciliates and rotifers. Having emerged from the egg, the larva has a body length of 1-2 mm; before pupation it reaches 6-7 mm. She goes through 3 molts and 4 instars. Pupation occurs at one week of age. The pupa is mobile, shaped like a comma. The abdomen is narrow, the head and thorax are fused. After 2-10 days, an adult mosquito emerges from the pupa.

A brief introduction to insects

Mosquitoes (other “official” names are true or blood-sucking mosquitoes) - from the point of view of biological classification, they are the family Culicidae, assigned to the group of Long-whiskers and the order of Diptera insects, which are characterized by sexual reproduction and complete transformation (metamorphoses from egg to adult: o These will be discussed in detail below).

Adult female mosquitoes drink human blood and are part of the midges - a group of blood-sucking insects, for which they have earned the strong dislike of people. Mosquitoes are small flying insects. The length of their thin and soft body varies from 4 mm to 15 mm in different species. All representatives of the family Culicidae are characterized by the presence of long legs, which end in 2 claws for better grip on surfaces and stability, and narrow transparent wings, consisting of many caps. Their span ranges from 5 mm for the smallest species to 30 mm.

Most species of the Mosquito family have a nondescript color: gray, brown, yellow. Much less often (and mainly in southern countries) black or green specimens are found. The thoracic region of insects is wider than the abdomen. The long antennae, necessary for orienting the insect in space, are formed by 15 segments.

The mosquito's mouthparts are a piercing-sucking type. It is hidden in the lower lip of the insect, which is shaped like a tube. Inside it are sharp jaw stilettos, similar to blades. They are needed to cut a microscopic hole in the skin, through which the sucking proboscis then penetrates to the layer of capillaries. Moreover, in females it consists of piercing bristles, which are absent in males.

In total, the Mosquito family has 3,000 species, divided into 38 genera. Most of them live in southern countries with a tropical climate. Only 100 species, representing 3 genera, live on the territory of Russia: true mosquitoes, biting mosquitoes and malaria mosquitoes.

What diseases do mosquitoes carry in Russia?

On the territory of the Russian Federation, the risk of being bitten, for example, by a malaria mosquito is tens earlier than on the African continent. However, in our area there are individuals infected with viruses and bacteria that are transmitted to humans. What mosquitoes are carriers?

• Culex genus - can carry meningitis;
• genera Culex and Culiseta - tularemia;
• Aedes genus - Zika virus, yellow fever, chikugunya, dengue fever;
• genus Anopheles - malaria.

Let's take a closer look at the diseases carried by mosquitoes living in our regions.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the membranes of the brain can be of a bacterial or viral nature. The disease is quite common, most often affecting men and children. The first symptoms of the disease are increased body temperature, intoxication, and weakness. Infants may experience bulging of the fontanel.

It is quite difficult to become infected with meningitis from a mosquito, since not all species that live among us are carriers of infections.

Malaria

This disease is caused by protozoa. Infection of a person occurs at the moment of a bite, when the female Anopheles injects her saliva with infection into the puncture. The disease is characterized by fever, chills, convulsions, and joint pain. Possible headache, tingling sensation on the skin

Attention: malaria is very dangerous for children and pregnant women! At the first symptoms of fever, be sure to consult a doctor! Treatment is medicinal

In Russia, malaria mosquitoes are represented mainly by the species Anopheles messeae. This is a small, inconspicuously colored mosquito that lives in the European part of Russia, the Urals, the Far East and Western Siberia.

Please note that when they bite, malaria mosquitoes raise their abdomen slightly. This is their main difference from ordinary insects of this family.

Anopheles messeae transmits malaria, but there is limited evidence that it transmits malaria in temperate areas. Perhaps, due to the peculiarities of the life cycle of malarial plasmodia, this disease does not spread in areas with cold winters.

Tularemia

This disease is quite common in Russia, but it is not only transmitted by mosquitoes - rodents, horseflies, and ticks are also carriers of the disease. Nevertheless, it is possible to become infected by a mosquito bite, especially since tularemia is carried by common species in our country, for example, the squeaky mosquito.

The disease is caused by bacteria and is acute, with characteristic signs of intoxication, muscle pain, and sweating. Later, small hemorrhages appear on the mucous membrane, and the tongue becomes covered with a gray coating. The febrile state can last from a week to 30 days. Treatment is medicinal and takes place in a hospital setting.

Zika disease

This disease is spread by Aedes mosquitoes and is viral in nature. Symptoms of Zika virus activity include weakness, general malaise, skin rash, fever, possible conjunctivitis, joint pain. The disease lasts 3-5 days, then the symptoms disappear. There is no specific treatment, therapy is symptomatic. There is evidence that the virus is dangerous for the fetus. In Russia, as of January 2016, no outbreaks of diseases were recorded.

Chikungunya

This infection is transmitted through the saliva of mosquitoes of the Kusak genus. The disease occurs rapidly and is accompanied by an increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees, chills, nausea, rash and headaches. Sometimes there is pain in muscles and joints. The disease lasts 3-7 days, but symptoms, for example, discomfort in the joints, can accompany the person who has recovered from the disease for a long time. Chikungunya is dangerous due to its complications.

The disease is common in countries with mild climates. Previously it was considered characteristic of Asia and Africa, but outbreaks have been recorded in Europe.

Dengue fever

An acute disease caused by a virus. You can become infected through the bite of the Aedes mosquito. Insects of this genus are not widespread in Russia; they can be found in regions with warm winters.

Dengue fever is accompanied by fever, rash, pain in muscles, bones, and joints. It is noted that the spine and knee joints are most often affected. The rash may have blisters that are very itchy. The disease is diagnosed by a doctor based on blood tests. Treatment is in a hospital, but there is no specific cure for the virus. Drinking plenty of fluids is recommended.

Please note that although these diseases are not common in the Russian Federation, they can easily be contracted while traveling in Asia, Africa, and South America. Most of them have an incubation period of 7 to 15 days (some up to 21 days)

If after the trip you experience symptoms such as fever, sweating, headaches, or muscle pain, consult a doctor immediately.

Are mosquitoes beneficial?

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Mosquitoes are unique and ancient creatures of nature. Their fossilized bodies were found in excavations of the Cretaceous period. And their distribution area is so large that sometimes it seems as if they were specially created to follow a person everywhere. There are more than 3,000 species around the globe; they are not found only in Antarctica. Even in the Arctic zone, in permafrost conditions, they successfully reproduce, forming flocks of thousands, capable of drinking up to 300 ml of blood at a time from one unfortunate and defenseless caribou. Their chilling squeak makes you wake up in the middle of the night to kill the meticulous vampire. And if you are not successful in this matter, he will resume his attempts for at least another 43 days, and if it suddenly gets cold outside and the temperature drops to 10-15 ° C, then you are guaranteed sleepless nights for another 80 days. Like professional bloodhounds, they sniff out and wait for their prey, hiding in a secluded place. 72 unique olfactory receptors never fail at a distance of several kilometers. You will never fool them, because they recognize their prey by heat radiation, movement, light, carbon dioxide and the smell of sweat at the same time. Having taken aim, they catch up with the victim at a speed of 7 km/h. For their reproduction, all it takes is a tiny puddle and one female mosquito, which managed to sneak in unnoticed and stick its proboscis into your body, so that in a week there are already 200 of them. They have mastered all modern methods of transportation: ships, trains, cars and even airplanes and are carriers of the most dangerous in the world of viruses and parasites that cause illness in 700 million people around the world and kill more than 2 million people every year. But have you ever heard that these most terrible creatures - an insidious mistake of nature - would be at least useful in some way? If not, then today you will learn about another side of the perfect universe, in which nothing happens for nothing. The first thing that comes to mind is that mosquitoes are an ideal food for numerous birds, fish, frogs, dragonflies, newts, water striders and more than a dozen other groups of animals, in the diet of which these two-winged sucking creatures occupy a significant place. The second scientific evidence in favor of these insects is the irrefutable scientific arguments that mosquitoes help maintain ecological balance and stability of the food cycle in the natural biocenosis. Thus, mosquito larvae are brilliant filter feeders that feed on aquatic microorganisms. Transforming into adults, they remove many vital microelements from the water and, when they die, enrich the soil with them. And of course, the tireless efforts of male mosquitoes to pollinate flowers cannot go unnoticed. Thirdly, people have wonderful legends about the purification of blood by mosquito bites, and even if this is not true, in any case, with numerous mosquito bites, a considerable amount of anticoagulants enter the bloodstream, which prevent blood clotting, which, of course, can be useful to people, suffering from blood diseases associated with an increased number of platelets. Fourthly, mosquitoes have indirect qualities that force a person to lead a healthy lifestyle and monitor their behavior. Despite countless debates about who mosquitoes prefer to bite, one thing is certain: they make no exceptions for anyone: newborns, raw foodists, starving people and highly spiritual individuals - all sooner or later become victims of small bloodthirsty creatures. But the fact remains clear: there are people whom they bite less. It was noticed that mosquitoes rarely land on people who are in a good mood, but as soon as such a person gets angry, flocks of hungry bloodsuckers immediately attack him. The second observation from life: in people who have a lightly polluted body, who eat healthier food and lead an active lifestyle, there are absolutely no allergic reactions to mosquito bites, no itching, no swelling, no redness. So, even if science never makes a strong case for protecting the mosquito population, we now know something to respect them for, and a means of providing "immunity" and making us invulnerable to at least the consequences of contact with them.

Common mosquito

The most numerous family includes the common mosquito, or squeaker. This is a representative of a wild race, which is characterized by its unpretentiousness to living conditions. It is the squeaky mosquito that annoys us in parks and squares, preventing us from sleeping at night and relaxing in nature.

Features of existence

Representatives of this species are distributed almost everywhere, with the exception of the northern regions, and, according to scientists, they began their life about 40 million years ago. The squeak mosquito is able to easily adapt to city conditions and change its usual habitats.

• Its main feature is to produce its first offspring in almost extreme conditions, without drinking a single drop of blood!
• Having become accustomed to civilization, they enter into their mating dance very quietly, without attracting undue attention to themselves by squeaking, which cannot be said about their wild relatives.
• In city conditions, common mosquitoes can remain active throughout the year, flying from apartment to apartment through ventilation hatches in search of new victims.
• In the wild, it is most often found in swampy areas, river valleys and lowlands of the forest zone.

External characteristics and life cycle

The squeak mosquito is a small insect whose body length can be about 4-7 cm. Life expectancy largely depends on environmental conditions and gender. At optimal air temperature, the average value ranges from 1.5 to 4 months, and females live slightly longer compared to males.

The main source of food for the female mosquito is the blood of warm-blooded animals. They attack humans, animals and birds. Thanks to this, females are able to lay eggs. mainly plant sugars, flower nectar and juice of various plants.

In the wild, female squeaker mosquitoes lay eggs on the surface of warm bodies of standing water. It could be a swamp, the edge of a lake, a forest swamp, or even an ordinary puddle. In the conditions of civilization, a car tire, with accumulated rainwater, a bank and any artificial reservoir can become an excellent place for future offspring.

The egg clutch has the shape of a kind of raft that moves along the surface of the water and eventually settles to the bottom. One raft can contain from 20 to 30 eggs. Depending on the water temperature, the duration of development ranges from 2 to 80 days.

A larva emerges from the egg, which after four stages of metamorphosis turns into a pupa. The end of each stage is accompanied by molting. Next, the pupa turns into an imago - an adult medium-sized mosquito.

Harm

Squeakers are carriers of diseases and, depending on their habitat, they can cause:

• eczema;
• hives;
• filariasis;
• meningitis;
• Japanese encephalitis;
• Brugia pahangi;
• West Nile virus.

Reproduction and development

Mosquito breeding begins when the air temperature reaches +10°C. Mating occurs on the ground and lasts several seconds. Temperature has a direct impact on the quality of fertilization; the higher the temperature, the more fertilized eggs and vice versa, colder temperatures increase the number of underdeveloped eggs. Another factor influencing fertilization results is the age of the female.

The female mosquito lays 200 to 300 eggs in warm, still water containing organic materials or aquatic vegetation. The eggs are laid in the form of rafts that float freely on the water thanks to air bubbles located between the eggs. One such raft can contain from 20 to 30 eggs. The duration of development is from 40 hours to 8 days, it depends on the temperature of the water in which development occurs. Squeak mosquito larvae develop on the shallows of rivers and streams in forests, forest-steppes and steppe zones.

General information

A mosquito is a miniature insect that has a pair of transparent wings, six long legs and a proboscis with which it feeds. The body consists of the cephalothorax, where the internal organs are concentrated. The elongated abdomen serves to concentrate the blood received by the insect from the body of the victim.

Mosquitoes are truly unique creatures. They live all over the globe. The only exceptions are the Antarctic latitudes, where the life of a mosquito becomes impossible due to too low ambient temperatures and lack of conditions for food and reproduction. In total, researchers have recorded about 3,000 individual species of mosquitoes.

Description

The common mosquito is a medium-sized insect with a bristly proboscis and dark short palps. The body is thin. Head covered with brown scales; the lateral parts of the head and the posterior edges of the eye are covered with white scales. The eyes are compound. The male, unlike the female, has feathery antennae. The wings are slightly longer than the abdomen, narrow. Both pairs of wings flap simultaneously in flight at a speed of about 1000 beats per second, which creates a characteristic “mosquito squeak”. Females have a long, stinging trunk, with which they suck blood.

Centipede mosquito

The long-legged mosquito has an impressive size - the length of the body together with the legs can reach 6 cm - but it does not pose any potential danger to humans. These insects are common on all continents and are absent only in arid regions and snowy areas.

This family includes about 4,200 species and all representatives choose damp, swampy places in the wild and warm, damp buildings and rooms if they settle near people.

Features of structure and nutrition

The body of the centipede mosquito is thin and elongated. The shape of the head is the same elongated and at the same time somewhat reminiscent of a stigma. On the head there is a pair of long antennae and a pair of compound eyes.

The long-legged mosquito has its characteristic, somewhat frightening appearance due to its elongated legs, the size of which is very impressive. On each shin there is a small process called a spur.

Adult members of the family feed exclusively on nectar. Some may not eat at all, but only lay eggs and continue the race. But the centipede mosquito larvae require a lot of greenery for normal development, and if there are not enough wild plants nearby, they can even attack crops.

The benefits and harms of mosquitoes

In addition to the intrusiveness of parasites, there is a danger of infection from a bite. Together with the saliva of the squeak mosquito, some viruses can penetrate the human body - Japanese encephalitis, filariasis, meningitis, avian malaria. The skin puncture site causes unbearable itching. Bites are especially dangerous for allergy sufferers, who may develop various reactions in the form of hives, rashes and eczema.

At the same time, mosquitoes allow you to maintain the natural balance. Birds feed on adult insects, and the larvae are valuable food for aquarium fish. This menu is especially useful for juveniles, which grow quickly on environmentally friendly black bloodworms.

Reproduction

Walking near a pond in the warm season, you can observe the mating dances of mosquitoes. They gather in large flocks. At the same time, the female emits a characteristic squeak to attract the opposite sex. The male catches the sound and finds his mate.

At the end of the mating season, female squeakers try to quickly get enough of fresh blood. They find prey and consume a source of protein for the development of offspring. After some time, the individual lays eggs in the shape of tiny boats. They are tightly glued together in the amount of 20-30 pieces. The mother looks for a source of standing water for future larvae, rich in organic matter and protozoa. Mosquitoes are not at all picky about growth conditions and can grow even in a polluted environment. They are suitable for shallow reservoirs that exclude the presence of waves - puddles, ditches, barrels.

Mosquito breeding

If you want to know how mosquitoes reproduce, it is worth considering the interesting features of insects:

• in males, the oral apparatus is designed in such a way that they cannot penetrate the skin and look for blood vessels. They feed on plants and flower nectar.
• Males are designed for mosquito mating and reproduction.
• Females require protein, which is part of the blood. This substance is necessary for the full maturation of eggs.
• The number of ripe eggs depends on the amount of lymph consumed.

The female lays eggs 2-3 times a year. The insect flies up to a pond and drops already formed eggs into it. To preserve the offspring, when dropped, they move chaotically over the water surface. Thanks to this, they end up on moss, algae, and other plants. After this, mosquitoes are born.

Centipede mosquito larvae

This large species of mosquito with a grayish color is not a bloodsucker. Their food is dew and plant nectar. This species has neither a sting nor a piercing proboscis. The habitat of the long-legged mosquito is an area with a high level of humidity: thickets near small bodies of water, swamps and forest thickets near the lake.

The female centipede mosquito lays elongated eggs, jumping above the surface of the ground and poking her abdomen into the soil. The hatched larvae grow and develop in plant roots, rotting tree bark or on the surface of sludge. In appearance, they resemble worms with a large head, which have an asterisk at the end of the body - this is a well-developed oral gnawing apparatus.

Mosquito larvae of this species cause great harm to humans when they destroy crops. Their favorite food, besides algae, is young seedlings of agricultural crops with soft, juicy roots.

External differences between female and male mosquitoes

The usual mosquito family consists of male representatives. Initially, the lifestyle of insects is no different. Subsequently, the female mosquito drinks blood as it expends more energy. Males continue to be content with little, often gathering on the flowers of thistle and elderberry. Who bites - a male or a female, you can definitely answer “she”.

Female and male mosquito

The gender of mosquitoes can be distinguished by their appearance if you look closely. Mosquitoes are always larger, body size is about 7 mm, males grow to a maximum of 5 mm. There are differences in the structure of the oral apparatus. Both sexes have a proboscis, but females have an additional row of teeth with which they pierce the skin and prevent the wound from closing.

The main difference is in the shape of the mustache. The mosquito with the furry antennae is a male. Outwardly, they resemble a brush and are clearly visible on a small head. In mosquitoes they are long, in the form of branches. What a male mosquito looks like is shown in the photo below. There you can also see what a female mosquito looks like.

How mosquitoes reproduce

To lay eggs, mosquitoes need a body of water. Every two to three days, she reproduces from 20 to 300 eggs and releases them onto the surface of the water, growing plants or into moist soil.

The eggs hatch into larvae that look like hairy gray worms. They swim, bending strongly, and after 20 days they turn into a humpback pupa. Both larvae and pupae float to the surface to breathe air.

The larvae of the jerk mosquito are greenish, but more often bright red, and live in the mud at the bottom of the reservoir. This is the same bloodworm that is used as food for aquarium fish.

An adult mosquito emerges from the pupa, dries its wings while sitting on a branch, and takes flight.

Males live only a short time, about 20 days. Females last longer, up to 3 months, but subject to lower temperatures, about 10-15 degrees.

In the summer they fly everywhere, and in the winter, numb, sedentary mosquitoes are found in warm, damp basements, in rooms where livestock live, in hallways, and vegetable stores.

In tropical forests, mosquitoes live all year round.

How to get rid of mosquitoes at home

Sometimes mosquitoes have a bad habit of entering houses, bothering people in every possible way. As a means of protection against mosquitoes, people have developed many means, among which special mosquito nets are very useful, preventing mosquitoes from entering the house through open windows.

Another effective remedy for mosquitoes can be special repellents, substances that emit odors that repel mosquitoes, although their disadvantage may be that the smells of repellents can have a bad effect not only on mosquitoes, but also on people.

A pot of geranium is quite suitable as a folk remedy for fighting mosquitoes, whose smell also repels these flying bloodsuckers.

It was the mosquito that played a key role in the good old science fiction film “Jurassic Park”; through the blood found in an ancient mosquito trapped in amber, scientists were able to access the DNA of dinosaurs and thus “resurrect” these prehistoric lizards. The flight speed of a mosquito is on average 3.2 km per hour, but skillfully using air currents, mosquitoes are able to fly up to 100 km. The mosquito's weight is so small that once it hits the web it will not cause vibrations and will not attract the spider's attention.

How dangerous are mosquito bites for humans?

When a mosquito bites, it injects an anticoagulant into the victim's tissues, which slows down blood clotting. There are certain categories of people who experience allergic reactions when in contact with this substance. Multiple bites from blood-sucking insects pose a mortal danger for such persons. The result is often blood intoxication with an anticoagulant and anaphylactic shock.

Mosquitoes, video

And in conclusion, an interesting documentary about one dangerous species of mosquito - “killer mosquitoes”.

A mosquito is a blood-sucking insect. In addition to the usual classic type of mosquito, there are many other varieties of individuals that can cause more harm than ordinary bites. There are several versions regarding the origin of these insects. One is in Sanskrit, which is translated as “enemies of the God of love Kama,” the other suggests a slightly different etymology “fog, darkness.” Mosquitoes live in humid environments and reproduce their offspring there. Let's look at the main types of mosquitoes, their habitat and lifestyle features.

Mosquito

Mosquitoes belong to the order Diptera. Representatives of this order differ from other winged insects in that they have only one pair of wings. Only the front two wings are used for flight. The hind ones have turned into so-called halteres, which help maintain balance during flight. The antennae of mosquitoes are long, multi-segmented, and have a long proboscis. There are many species living in different environments. Larvae most often develop in stagnant waters, usually puddles and ponds. Squeak mosquitoes (Culex pipiens) are quite annoying insects, but harmless bloodsuckers. Only females drink blood, because without this, eggs will not develop in them.

Mosquito larvae live in water. To combat mosquitoes, the larvae are poisoned with chemicals, after which the larvae and pupae die, and all kinds of aquatic animals, and especially fish, are deprived of food.

Close relatives of squeak mosquitoes are malaria mosquitoes (Anopheles maculipennis). They carry diseases such as the dreaded malaria. In places where there is a danger of contracting malaria, people sleep under a thin mesh canopy to escape their bites. Midges and biting midges are also unpleasant bloodsuckers; they can be carriers of serious diseases.

Centipedes are those large mosquitoes that fly out from under your feet in a wet meadow or forest clearings and, lazily flying several tens of meters, hide again in the grass. Despite their size, long-legged mosquitoes are completely harmless.

The largest species in Central Europe, the large centipede reaches a length of 4 cm. Adults drink nectar and live only a few days. Centipede larvae can be recognized by their elongated body and star-shaped abdomen. They live in soft soil or water. Twitch mosquitoes (family Chironomidae, numbering over 3,000 species) are also harmless. They are also called bells: on quiet warm evenings, over the banks of ponds and small rivers overgrown with reeds, you can hear a thin melodic ringing made by swarming mosquitoes, sharply flying up and passively falling down. Adults are usually pale yellow or light green, less often dark in color, and their forelimbs are greatly elongated. These insects, which live only a few days, often gather in huge clouds. Worm-like larvae reach a length of 2 cm and can be found at the bottom of any body of water. They play an important role in the life of its inhabitants, providing them with food, from fish to dragonfly larvae and beetles.

Squeaker mosquito

Squeaker mosquito

Unique creations of nature hide many secrets. The six-limbed animal, the squeak mosquito, which will be discussed in this article, has an amazing multiphase life cycle and the ability to feed on more than just blood. Let's take a closer look at the habitat, the structure of the insect's body and the stages of its development.

Who eats maggots

Female mosquitoes lay their offspring in stagnant bodies of water so that the grown-up individuals always have access to food. But at the same time, mosquito larvae and eggs themselves become the target of attack. Therefore, female mosquitoes often try to camouflage the clutch as much as possible in order to allow small individuals to grow.

Most of the larvae are located on the surface of the water and various arthropods, water striders, swimming beetles, water bugs, ticks, dragonflies, and small crustaceans are not averse to feasting on them. Mosquito larvae are mobile and can escape from their enemies by flight. But even this ability rarely helps them.

Dragonflies pose a great danger to representatives of this order. They are characterized by unprecedented gluttony and can eat both larvae and adults. Dragonflies are amazing predators; they have excellent vision and the ability to correctly calculate speed to catch prey. But even this is not as scary as the stupid appetite of these colorful insects, capable of eating bloodsuckers without stopping.

Insects that eat mosquitoes and their larvae

Dragonflies eat mosquitoes even when they are in the larval stage. Their larvae are larger than mosquito larvae, which gives them a huge advantage in combat. The same is done by the larvae of other inhabitants of swamps and lakes, which are larger in size.

Various fish can also feast on mosquito larvae. Gambusia and wild species of guppy fish consider bloodworms to be the main component of their diet. This is skillfully used by fishing enthusiasts or owners of aquarium fish.

They also have larger natural enemies. Waterfowl eat mosquitoes. They pass water through their beak and destroy a large number of not only larvae, but also eggs. Seagulls, ducks, geese help regulate bloodsucker populations.

Body structure

The mosquito's body is divided into several parts. The head is attached to the thoracic region using three shield plates. It has sensitive antennae, huge ones, and mouthparts. In the middle part of the body is the chest, divided into three segments. The legs, abdomen and wings of the insect are attached to it. There is also a spiracle connected to the trachea.

How many limbs does a squeaking mosquito have? To answer this question, you need to carefully examine the adult. Six thin legs are attached to its thoracic region. They have a rather complex structure, allowing the insect not only to stay on the skin of the victim, but also to crawl on its bellies. Each foot has five segments with suction cups at the end, the last of which is equipped with two claws.

Does a mosquito have teeth?

A detailed study of the mouthparts of the squeaking mosquito revealed its unique structure. The nutritional organs consist of two pairs of jaws equipped with teeth. They are located in a “case” formed by elongated lips. The proboscis, which pierces the skin, is equipped with stilettos. The male does not have them. In the process of feeding, the lower jaws cling to the tissues with their teeth and drag the sucking apparatus deeper.

To prevent the victim from feeling threatened, the mosquito injects an anesthetic. And the bite site itches from the anticoagulant secreted by the insect, which prevents blood clotting.

Interestingly, the squeak’s antennae allow one to smell the future “donor” in several ways. The female distinguishes both body temperature and the release of CO2 and lactic acid. The latter is synthesized by human glands during sweating and is captured by a blood-sucking individual at a distance of up to 50 meters. You can examine the detailed structure of the head of an insect such as the squeaking mosquito (photo presented) under multiple magnification of an electron microscope.

Mosquito-borne diseases

If we consider the diseases that mosquitoes can carry, the list becomes quite long. Mosquitoes spread parasites, viruses and pathogenic bacteria. At the same time, the insects themselves do not suffer from the diseases they carry. Here is a brief list of the most dangerous diseases transmitted by mosquitoes:

• Malaria is a serious parasitic disease. Approximately 220 million people a year suffer from this disease;
• Infectious tularemia;
• In the eastern United States, eastern equine encephalitis can be contracted from insects;
• West Nile Virus is also common in the United States;
• Yellow fever and other viral diseases transmitted by the yellow fever mosquito;
• Filariasis;
• There is a small chance of HIV transmission.

Nutrition of plant sugars

Insects choose certain plants to replenish their vital reserves:

• tansy;
• burdock;
• yarrow.

Most of all they love tansy; 10 individuals gather on a flower at once. An interesting fact about mosquitoes was published by foreign researchers: virgin females prefer plant foods. There were no more than 45% pregnant. Fructose has a beneficial effect on the body of insects, so they need plant foods.

Methods of protection against bites

In certain regions, the risk of transmission of a dangerous disease from an ordinary mosquito is increased. Also, some people should avoid contact with culex due to increased immune sensitivity.

Recommended bite prevention methods:

1. Use of deterrents (repellents). These are various aerosols, gels and ointments applied to the surface of the skin.
2. Direct destruction of individuals indoors using electrofumigators and aerosols.
3. When visiting places where mosquitoes accumulate, you should cover your skin with thick clothing.
4. If insects appear in the house, it is necessary to carry out treatment and get rid of containers with stagnant water.

It is rarely possible to completely avoid contact with Culex pipiens, but following preventative recommendations reduces the risk of bite-related complications.

Where do mosquitoes live?

The active use of vehicles has contributed to the appearance of mosquitoes in Russia, America and other countries. These insects are absent only in Antarctica, since in such conditions the common mosquito cannot develop. Development and lifestyle depend on where the pest lives. The tropical mosquito is active throughout the year. Insects that live in temperate latitudes hide during the winter. For these purposes, the tiger mosquito uses apartments, houses and basements. In colder climates, insects develop less well because the temperature is not suitable for them.

What are mosquitoes afraid of?

First of all, it is worth noting that mosquitoes cannot tolerate heat; their activity noticeably decreases already at +25 degrees. On a hot day in the sun you are unlikely to encounter mosquitoes, but in the evening they will remind you of themselves. Also, mosquitoes do not like windy areas, so a well-ventilated clearing is preferable for building hunting huts.

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