Science Fact Finder | The Animal World - Do Male Mosquitoes Bite Humans?

Do male mosquitoes bite humans?

No. Male mosquitoes live on plant juices, sugary saps, and liquids arising from decomposition of plant material. They do not have a biting mouth that can penetrate human skin. But the females do. In some species, the females need a meal of blood before they can lay their eggs. Blood lipids (fats) are converted into the needed iron and protein to produce upwards of 200 eggs.

Sources: Feldman, David. Do Penguins Have Knees? p. 190; Passarin d'Entreves, P. The Secret Life of In-sects, p. 28.

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