The Life of a Mosquito
Mosquitoes – the tiny, annoying jerks that manage to turn a pleasant summer evening into an itchy and frustrating nightmare.
As much as I despise them, turns out they’re important for the ecosystem as a food source for other animals, contributing to pollination (although not as well as bees and butterflies) and more.
There are four stages in a mosquitos life: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. They lay their eggs in stagnant water, which could be as small as a rain-filled flowerpot or a discarded bottle cap. Once the eggs hatch, mosquito larvae emerge, spending their early days wriggling around in the water, feeding on microscopic organisms. The larvae transforms into pupae before finally emerging as fully grown, flying mosquitoes.
While adult mosquitoes are the ones that rudely bite, not all mosquitoes feed on blood. Male mosquitoes primarily survive on nectar and other plant-based juices. Female mosquitoes, on the other hand, need blood to develop their eggs. When a female mosquito bites, it pierces the skin with its needle-like mouthparts and feeds on the blood. Some mosquitoes prefer animals, others target humans.
Not only are mosquitoes annoying – they can also carry various diseases. Malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus and yellow fever are just a few examples of illnesses transmitted by these pesky insects. Mosquitoes pick up these diseases from infected hosts during their blood meals and then pass them on to new hosts when they bite again. Protecting ourselves from mosquito bites is crucial to prevent the spread of these diseases.
This is why it’s so important to prevent bites!
Here are some things you can do:
Use insect repellent: Repel Wearables mosquito repellent bracelets use citronella to mask your natural scent, avoiding detection. Other options include sprays or creams with DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to help keep mosquitoes away.
Wear long sleeves and pants: Wearing clothing that covers your skin helps to reduce exposure to mosquito bites.
Eliminate standing water: Since mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, emptying containers that collect water around your home can help disrupt their breeding cycle.
Install screens: Use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your living spaces.
Although mosquitoes are an irritating presence, understanding their life cycle, feeding habits, and the potential health risks they pose empowers us to proactively protect ourselves. By using simple strategies to prevent mosquito bites, we can enjoy the great outdoors without falling victim to their itchy disruptions.
References:
World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Mosquito-borne diseases. https://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/vector_ecology/mosquito-borne-diseases/en/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Diseases. https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/about/zika/about.html