| MadSci Network: Zoology |
Ummm .. it's funny that I'm getting this question during a Summer where we're
having a record problem with mosquitos here in Arizona ! I hope the
mosquitos aren't too bad where you are !
Mosquitos are insects, in fact they are related to the flies (family
Diptera). They don't have teeth the same as we (or other mammals) have.
They do have serrations (jagged edges) on their mouthparts which they use
(like a steak knife !) to pierce the skin of the animal they are biting.
Only the female mosquito bites, and this is because she needs a meal of
fresh blood before she can lay her eggs. Mosquitos lay their eggs in
stagnant (smelly !) water.
The mosquitos mouthparts are very modified versions of those of other
flies. For example, the house fly (Musca domestica, as scientists call
it) has mouthparts which are modified to suck up liquid food like a
sponge !
If you want to find out more about mosquitos and their life, try these
WWW sites
Site #1
Site #2
Thanks for the question !!