People should not kill mosquitoes but allow them to take "blood donations", a French animal-rights activist has said.

Aymeric Caron, a television presenter, said the insects sucked human blood to obtain protein for their eggs, which was “embarrassing for anti-specists who realise they are being attacked by a mother trying to nourish her future children”.

Anti-specists are those who oppose discrimination against any species, usually animals.

But British animal-protection workers said his comments were “a step too far” and were “an unhelpful distraction”.

Mr Caron, who counts himself as an “anti-specist”, said animal lovers should allow the insects to bite, except in Africa, where they would risk catching malaria.

Insects at risk of extinction Show all 12 1 /12 Insects at risk of extinction Insects at risk of extinction Wasps Wasps are of the order Hymenoptera, one of the most at risk Getty Insects at risk of extinction Dragonflies Dragonflies are of the order Odonata, one of the most at risk Getty Insects at risk of extinction Bees Bees are of the order Hymenoptera, one of the most at risk Getty Insects at risk of extinction Butterflies Butterflies are of the order Lepidoptera, one of the most at risk Getty Insects at risk of extinction Ants Ants are of the order Hymenoptera, one of the most at risk Getty Insects at risk of extinction Dung Beetles Two dung beetles making an effort to roll a ball through gravel Getty Insects at risk of extinction Caddisflies Caddisflies make up the order Trichoptera, one of the most at risk Getty Insects at risk of extinction Stoneflies Stoneflies are of the order plecoptera, one of the most at risk Getty Insects at risk of extinction Saw-Flies Saw-Flies are of the order Hymenoptera, one of the most at risk Getty Insects at risk of extinction Moths Moths are of the order Lepidoptera, one of the most at risk Getty Insects at risk of extinction Damselfly Damselflies are of the order Odonata, one of the most at risk Getty Insects at risk of extinction Mayflies Mayflies are of the order Ephemeroptera, one of the most at risk Getty

He said letting mosquitoes bite should be considered a “blood donation”, and although the ideal is to avoid killing them, they could be killed where necessary.

“One can consider that a blood donation from time to time to an insect who is only trying to nourish her children is not a drama,” Mr Caron said in a video.

A female mosquito really has no choice but to risk her life for her babies, he said.

Mr Caron said to avoid being bitten, it was best to use natural mosquito repellents such as citronella, lavender oil or garlic, and to wash regularly and to avoid using perfumes.

Failing that, he urged people do follow the example of Albert Schweitzer, the philosopher and animal-protection pioneer. “In Africa, where there is malaria, he allowed himself to kill mosquitoes. In France, where they are inoffensive, he allowed himself to be bitten,” Mr Caron said.

Toni Vernelli, the UK head of animal-welfare group Animal Equality, said she would draw the line at “parasites that carry malaria and kill millions of people a year”.

“For most people, this is a step too far and a distraction. It’s unhelpful in trying to educate people about the suffering of animals in factory farms, and is unrelated to animal welfare campaigns,” she said.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

“We’re much better off focusing on the tangible things people can do to reduce suffering, such as not eating meat, using animal products and wearing fur,” she said.