Facts about mosquitoes for children. Mosquito Facts You Need to Know

Although many people you know may not even know what it's like to be bitten by a mosquito, you are not alone if you suffer from frequent mosquito bites. Experts estimate that about 20 percent of people are especially attracted to mosquitoes, which bite them constantly.

Despite the fact that scientists have not yet come up with any effective protection against these insects, other than the use of special sprays (to which, by the way, mosquitoes are gradually beginning to acquire immunity), they say that there are some reasons that explain the tendency of some of us to mosquito bites.

Here are the main ones:

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Why don't mosquitoes bite everyone?

Blood type

Since mosquitoes bite us to obtain protein from our blood, it is not surprising that they find some blood types more appetizing than others.

One study demonstrated that under controlled conditions mosquitoes are twice as likely to “land” on people with the first blood group, than on speakers of the second group. People with the third blood group are the second favorites of sucking insects.

In addition, based on the work of certain genes, about 85 percent of people send a signal to mosquitoes through their skin that tells them about their blood type, the remaining 15 percent do not. Therefore, mosquitoes are more attracted to those who give them such signals.

Carbon dioxide

One of the key points on which a mosquito finds its victim is the smell of carbon dioxide produced by people when breathing. During this, they use an organ called the maxillary palp (a special structure of the oral apparatus), which helps mosquitoes detect carbon dioxide even at a distance of 50 meters.

As a result, people who exhale more carbon dioxide, which tend to be larger people, attract more mosquitoes. This is one of the reasons why children are less likely to be bitten than adults.

Exercise and metabolism

In addition to carbon dioxide, mosquitoes can smell prey from closer ranges by smelling lactic acid, uric acid, ammonia and other substances released in sweat.

They are also attracted to people with higher body temperatures.

Therefore, those who regularly pay attention to physical activity increase the accumulation of lactic acid in their body and raise their body temperature, which attracts insects to them.

Meanwhile, genetic factors also influence the amount of uric acid and other substances each person naturally excretes. This is why some people are very easy for mosquitoes to detect.

Why do mosquitoes bite?

Skin bacteria

Other research suggests that specific types of bacteria that live on our skin influence our attractiveness to mosquitoes. In a 2011 study, experts found that The presence of large numbers of several types of bacteria on the skin fascinates mosquitoes.

Surprisingly, places where there is less accumulation of bacteria practically do not attract mosquitoes. This helps explain why these insects are so fond of biting our ankles and feet, since this is where the largest amount of bacteria tends to accumulate.

Beer

Just one half-liter bottle of beer and you have already become a potential victim of mosquitoes. However, even though the researchers suspected that this was due to increased ethanol excretion through sweat or an increase in body temperature, none of these factors correlate directly with alcohol use.

Thus, to this day it is a mystery to scientists why people who have consumed alcohol are more attractive to mosquitoes than non-drinkers.

Pregnancy

Numerous studies have shown that pregnant women are twice as likely to be attacked by mosquitoes, and all due to the confluence of two factors: they exhale 21 percent more carbon dioxide and their overall body temperature is slightly higher.

Clothes color

It may seem absurd, but mosquitoes use sight (along with smell) to locate their prey, so if you wear colors like black, navy blue or red, the insect will find you faster.

This conclusion was reached by James Day, a medical entomologist at Florida State University.

Genetics

In general, genetic factors are responsible 85 percent of the time for our attractiveness to mosquitoes, regardless of whether we are talking about blood type, metabolism, or some other factor. Unfortunately, today scientists do not have the opportunity to fully analyze these factors.

Natural repellents

Many experts are currently busy studying the reasons why some people repel mosquitoes completely in the hope of creating the next generation of insect repellents.

By using chromatography to detect the corresponding substances released by these people, scientists from UK's Rothamsted Research lab in the UK found that such people are carriers of natural repellers, which tend to secrete several substances that mosquitoes do not like at all. .

As a result, if these substances are added to advanced mosquito sprays, even people with blood type O, sports enthusiasts, pregnant women, as well as supporters of dark colors in clothing will be able to get rid of these annoying insects forever.

Folk remedies for mosquito bites

— mosquitoes find the smell of basil, eucalyptus, cloves and anise extremely unpleasant. Lubricate bare areas of the body with any oil from these plants and you can forget about mosquitoes. You can also apply a drop of oil to the fire source. This will provide protection from sucking insects;

- in a room with mosquitoes, you can chop a handful of fresh basil or bird cherry leaves;

— mosquitoes really don’t like the smell of tobacco smoke and valerian;

— at the dacha, to protect yourself from mosquitoes, plant tomatoes or elderberries under the windows. The leaves of these plants in the room will allow you to forget about annoying insects;

- tea tree oil and a decoction of one of the most common weeds - wheatgrass - are also very effective.

1. Female mosquitoes live twice as long

Just like in humans, a woman is known to outlive a man, but with a much greater difference. If the environment is favorable, an adult female mosquito can live for more than a month, while males live no more than two weeks.

2. Only females bite

They don't actually bite, they suck. Once it locates a target, it inserts its long, sharp proboscis into the skin, searching for blood plasma that will feed its future eggs. If the prey does not respond, the female will feed until her belly is completely full.

3. Popularity Contest

To find a mate, males gather in large swarms at dusk, and females choose. Interestingly, size is not the main selection criterion. Research has shown that medium-sized males attract most females due to their ability to stay in the air longer.

4. In search of harmony...

The buzz by which we recognize the approach of mosquitoes is the result of the rapid flapping of their wings. It is now known that mosquitoes synchronize their wing vibrations when they detect a partner of the opposite sex.

5. They say no to moving air.

Due to their very light weight, it is very difficult for mosquitoes to maintain stable flight and even more difficult to focus on a target in the presence of obstacles.

6. “Mosquito” is a Spanish word, translated as “small fly”

A quick Spanish lesson: mosca means “fly” in Spanish. In Spanish, a tiny form of the main word is used to describe something smaller, but still similar. This is achieved by adding the ending –ito to the word. The result is a mosquito.

7. Bill Gates is also fighting them

The Anopheles mosquito species is the main carrier of the malaria pathogen. In February 2009, philanthropist Bill Gates released a swarm of mosquitoes at the TED conference in California to raise awareness of the issue of funding the development of a malaria vaccine. According to him, “it’s not just the poor who should feel this.”

8. They don't necessarily think you're cute.

Have you ever been told that mosquitoes bite you because you are so cute? But in reality...mosquitoes are most attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale and the odor that each person creates. By the way, they give preference to sweatier people.

9. Immediately adults

The development process of a mosquito from egg to adult is only 4 days. A mosquito never flies far from its nest. Basically, during their short life, they look for food within a radius of 1-2 kilometers from their place of birth.

10. A lot... it's about mosquitoes

There are approximately 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world, of which about 150-200 species are found in North America.

Mosquitoes are nasty insects that annoy and disturb us all summer. But do we know everything about mosquitoes? There are facts about mosquitoes that are useful and interesting to know.

An insect similar to a modern mosquito was found in a piece of amber in Canada that dates back 79 million years.

Mosquitoes accompany humanity and drive people crazy, encroaching on our health. Mosquitoes have their own preferences based on the smell of sweat, exhaled carbon dioxide, blood type, thermal radiation and light. Read the article: . We should get to know them better.

Mosquito Facts - Mosquitoes don't like chocolate

Mosquitoes are known to be attracted to carbon dioxide, the gas we exhale. In any case, we, by our existence, attract mosquitoes. There are smells that mosquitoes don't like. Some aromas: mint, some fruity smells and the smell of chocolate caramel “drown out” the carbon dioxide sensors.

The mosquito loses its orientation, letting its potential “victim” pass by. Some essential oils repel mosquitoes. These oils include lavender and tea tree essential oils.

Why do mosquitoes fly right into your face?

Mosquitoes can smell their “prey” from about 500 meters away. This is exactly the distance at which a mosquito can sense exhaled carbon dioxide. Since people exhale carbon dioxide through the nose and mouth, our head, cheeks, and nose are the most “appetizing” zones. That's why we so often slap ourselves during a mosquito attack.

Male mosquitoes are cute vegetarians

If you are surrounded by a swarm of mosquitoes, then you should know that these are exclusively pregnant females that feed on blood, biting animals and people. Females, in order to bear eggs, need protein nutrition, which is blood. Male mosquitoes flutter in flowers and feed exclusively on pollen and nectar.

Infected mosquitoes are dangerous hunters

Mosquito flight speed

A mosquito weighs approximately 2-2.5 milligrams. It seemed that they should fly very fast, but this is not so. The approximate flight speed of a mosquito is 1.5 km per hour, making them one of the slowest flying insects in the world.

Malaria mosquitoes are among the deadliest animals in the world

Mosquitoes are one of the deadliest creatures on the planet, especially in areas where malaria, yellow fever and some other infections are common. One malaria mosquito can infect up to 100 people. The statistics are especially sad in African countries, where every 45 seconds a malaria mosquito bites a child.

The story about the mosquito bike

Recently, gentlemen, I accidentally crushed a mosquito.
While waiting for the train, I sat down on a bench to rest... And right there, he flew in from the forest and sat on my neck without permission, and dug into my skin.
I reacted instantly and decisively and dramatically. I slapped my palm and slightly injured the mosquito...

Don't know. He probably was
very painful. He immediately fell unconscious on the damp ground. And lies motionless. I started counting to ten. He apparently heard this countdown, and at exactly the ninth second he woke up, stirred, and then hobbled somewhere according to his needs.. He probably went to the clinic to get his wing treated..

After all, he probably lost his flying skills from my powerful blow... Mosquitoes have their own clinic in the forest. There they receive first aid. Well, they will put on a plaster cast, make a bandage, or apply a compress. Either they will give it to the doctor or they will put him in intensive care. But, it depends on the circumstances, and as necessary..

In general, I realize that I acted cruelly with the mosquito.
Caused him bodily injury. But let him know that it is impossible to vampirize human blood for free.
You have to pay mani-mani for everything now..
Sometimes it is necessary to draw up an agreement, or a contract, or enter into a commercial transaction.

(And I’ll add in a whisper in your ear: This tragic incident cannot be reported to Theresa May by the Prime Minister from Great Britain.
What if he raises the question at a UN meeting that I have caused great damage to nature.
And that’s why I’m writing to you about this case in great confidence..)

It was my self-defense. The mosquito hurt me, and I responded decisively...
When he came to life and began to hobble, I began to watch him... It’s interesting. After all, God's miniature living creature... He also wants to live... He wants to have children, a wife, or a husband, depending on gender predisposition..

I sit and watch him...
I looked, a small ant, 2 mm long, approached him from behind and grabbed his leg, or leg... And apparently this act hurt the mosquito. He twitched and dragged the ant... I looked, then another ant ran up to them and grabbed the other leg.

In short, about 6 small ants overcame the mosquito, and together, at a high professional level, like experienced movers, they quickly dragged it into the anthill. So to speak, they dragged him to their base..

You could say that a whole group, or a herd of ants attacked the mosquito. They didn’t ask him for his documents, they didn’t greet him, they didn’t greet him, and they immediately grabbed him and arrested him...

I watched this simple process...
Before my eyes, living objects were being disposed of.. A herd of ants committed aggression and attacked a lonely, crippled, unfortunate mosquito..

I felt sincerely sorry for him.. And I felt deep down in my soul remorse for the grave crime I had committed against him..

And I even thought that it would be necessary to save him from inevitable death. And he started to jerk, to free him from the gang of ants. But then my train arrived. And, I hastily left the battlefield.

He climbed into the carriage and drove away, home, dozing off in the seat...

That's the whole little tragic story of everyday life called "Once upon a time there was a mosquito and one day they ate it..".

Mosquitoes are annoying insects, and there is hardly a person who will say that he loves them. As soon as you go for a walk on a summer evening, you will have to fend off the continuous attacks of these small, but surprisingly annoying creatures. And in hot countries, mosquitoes pose a serious threat, as they are carriers of many unpleasant diseases, including the deadly dengue fever.

1. More than 3,000 species of mosquitoes live on Earth.
2. These insects appeared on the planet about 100 million years ago.
3. The length of the mosquito body is up to 12.5 millimeters. In the distant past, their size could be 5 centimeters.
4. The life of male mosquitoes lasts no more than two weeks, while females can live longer than a month.
5. Only female mosquitoes suck blood - they need blood plasma to bear offspring. Males feed exclusively on nectar and water, like butterflies (see).
6. During mating games, male mosquitoes gather in a swarm after sunset in full view of the females. Medium-sized mosquitoes are generally preferred because they can stay in the air longer.
7. The squeak by which you can know in advance that a mosquito is approaching is the noise from the rapid flapping of the insect's wings.
8. Wind is a problem for mosquitoes because their own weight is very low.
9. When they see members of the opposite sex, mosquitoes synchronize the flapping of their wings.
10. Scientists have found that mosquitoes prefer to bite sweatier people. They choose their prey by the smell of its body and exhaled carbon dioxide.
11. Female mosquitoes bite women more often than men, with a preference for blondes.
12. Mosquitoes travel from egg to adult in just 4 days.
13. Throughout their lives, mosquitoes rarely move further than a few kilometers from their place of birth.
14. Mosquitoes have infrared vision, which allows them to easily navigate in the dark.
15. These insects are so small that they can fly between raindrops for an average of five minutes (see).
16. Mosquitoes are peculiar “werewolves”; during the full moon their activity increases by 500%.
17. Due to their low weight, mosquitoes are able to fearlessly walk along the web without attracting the attention of spiders (see).
18. Male mosquitoes prefer older females rather than young ones.
19. Mosquito eggs can lie in the ground for several years until favorable conditions arise for their birth.
20. Mosquito saliva contains substances that anesthetize the bite site and thin the victim's blood. They are the cause of severe itching after a bite.
21. According to scientists, it would take about 1.2 million mosquitoes to drink all the blood from a person.
22. No matter how mosquitoes irritate their victims, it is impossible to completely exterminate these insects - this will lead to an environmental disaster. Although, for example, in Singapore they completely got rid of mosquitoes (see).
23. Mosquitoes are carriers of many dangerous diseases, including malaria, hepatitis, yellow fever and encephalitis.
24. If a mosquito is hungry, it can travel up to 64 kilometers in search of food. They can smell food at a distance of up to 50 meters.
25. An experiment conducted in the Canadian tundra showed that a person with a naked torso and limbs is bitten by about 9 thousand mosquitoes in an hour (see).
26. Unlike most other insects, mosquitoes have only one pair of wings.
27. Mosquitoes can walk on water.
28. In the Canadian town of Komarno, the world's largest monument to a mosquito is installed - the wingspan of the insect statue is 5 meters.