Wikijunior:Bugs/Mosquito
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[edit] What does it look like?
A mosquito is a flying insect, that has long legs and a thin body. Mosquitoes also have a pair of halteres, halteres stabilize the flight of the mosquito. Mosquitoes are quite a disgusting insect! The range of length and weight are great, but mosquitoes are normally less than 16 mm long and 2.5 mg in weight.
[edit] Where does it live?
Mosquitoes are present in all six of the major continents. The mosquito is a nocturnal insect, and flies during the evening and night. During the day, mosquitoes rest in the shade or other cool areas. However, a mosquito may still "bite" if disturbed.
[edit] What does it eat?
Male and female mosquitoes drink nectar from plants as their main source of food. In many species of mosquitoes however, the females drink blood! A female mosquito uses the blood to gain other nutrients for her eggs. Using the proboscis, the external organ for sucking up blood, the mosquito punctures the skin of its victim. After injecting a pain killer, it will suck up the blood. Many diseases, such as malaria, are spread by mosquitoes carrying infected blood. The proboscis can also be used for sucking up nectar.
[edit] How does it defend itself?
It cannot defend itself.
[edit] What stages of metamorphosis does it go through?
Mosquitoes (like most insects) start out in eggs. Mother mosquitoes lay the eggs in the water because the larvae must swim. Mosquito larvae are also called "wrigglers" because of the way they squirm in the water. In at least a week, larvae start to become pupae, the second stage of a mosquito. The pupa stage lasts about one to four days, in which it stays in a hard cocoon like case. When a mosquito is in its shell, it does not eat. In fact, the only thing it does do is change again. Soon enough, the case cracks, and out comes a new adult mosquito. The mosquito must rest on the surface of the water for a few minutes, to dry off its wings. The adult mosquito lives for around four to eight weeks, and then, its life is over.
[edit] What special behavior does it exhibit?
[edit] How does this bug affect people?
This is a very famous insect because it has killed so many people throughout history. When a mosquito bites, it can pass on diseases like Malaria and Yellow Fever. In some parts of the world people sleep under large nets so they don't get bitten in their sleep.
