Mosquito facts

Mosquito fact # 1: There are over three thousand different kinds of mosquitoes in the world. Most live in the tropics, but some even live in the Arctic.



Mosquito fact # 2: A mosquito wing beats from 300-600 times per second. A male mosquito can find females by listening to the sound of their wings beating. They identify the correct species by the pitch of the female's wings.

Mosquito fact # 3: The average life span of the female mosquito is 3 to 100 days; the male's is 10 to 20 days. Depending on species, female mosquitoes may lay 100 to 300 eggs at a time and may average 1,000 to 3,000 during their lifespan. Adults can live for several weeks, feeding on carbohydrate sources such as nectar and fruit juices.



Mosquito fact # 4: Worldwide, mosquito-borne diseases kill more people than any other single factor. In the United States, mosquitoes vector (spread) several types of encephalitis, dog heartworm, and malaria.



Mosquito fact # 5: The larval and pupal stages can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats including: discarded containers, tires, temporary woodland pools, tree and crab holes, salt marshes, and irrigation ditches. Most mosquitoes remain within 1 mile of their breeding site. A few species may range up to 20 miles or more.



Mosquito fact # 6: There are over 170 described species of mosquitoes from North America. Several species have been accidentally introduced from other parts of the world.



Mosquito fact # 7: Depending on temperature, mosquitoes can develop from egg to adult in as little as 4-7 days.



Mosquito fact # 8: Presently, the cues used by mosquitoes to find their hosts are poorly understood. Carbon dioxide (CO2), heat, octenol and light have been shown to be attractants. Other compounds tested such as lactic acid also have proved to attract certain species of biting insects.



Mosquito fact # 9: The mosquito's visual picture, produced by various parts of its body, is an infrared view produced by its prey's body temperature.



Mosquito fact # 10: The larvae are filter feeders of organic particulates.



Mosquito fact # 11: Mosquitoes are arthropods, so are lobsters, spiders, bees, fleas, and barnacles.