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Mosquitoes
Section NavigationWhat is a Mosquito?
Spanish
Mosquitoes are common, flying insects that live in most parts of the world. Over
3,500 types of mosquitoes can be found worldwide.
Not all mosquitoes bite people or animals. When mosquitoes bite people, the
most common reactions to the bite are itching and swelling.
Some mosquitoes bite, but do not spread germs. These types of mosquitoes are
called nuisance mosquitoes.
Head
The head has many organs that help mosquitoes eat, see, and smell.
Antennae: Long feather-like organs that detect carbon dioxide from a person’s
breath and movement of air.
Eye: Mosquitoes have two large compound eyes that detect movement.
Palps: Organs between the antennae that sense odor.
Proboscis: In female mosquitoes, this mouth part pierces the skin of a person
or animal and sucks out blood. The male’s proboscis is not strong enough to
pierce the skin, and males do not feed on blood. Both female and male
mosquitoes use the proboscis to feed on flower nectar and fruit juices.
Thorax
The thorax is connected to the head. Wings and legs are connected to the thorax.
Abdomen
The abdomen connects to the thorax and serves as the stomach, reproductive
system, and part of the respiratory system.