Do Mosquito Hawks Actually Eat Mosquitoes?
Do mosquito hawks actually eat mosquitoes? Nope. Adults and larvae do not feed on mosquitoes. Nor do they sting or bite. Although some people think these flies look like Texas-sized mosquitoes, they have wrongly been called “mosquito hawks.” They are actually large tan-colored, fragile crane flies with long, spindly legs.
Does a Male Mosquito Bite You?
Does a male mosquito bite you? Nope. The female mosquito of the species is the one that bites (males feed on flower nectar), because she requires blood to produce eggs. Her mouthparts are constructed so that they pierce the skin so she can suck the blood out. Her saliva lubricates the opening. It’s her saliva plus the injury to the skin that creates the stinging and irritation we associate with mosquito bites.
Mosquito Borne Diseases
Many people may connect the mosquito season to the irksomely itchy welts that accompany mosquito bites. But, there are far worse associations to make with these blood-sucking pests, such as the health threats they pose to you and your family.
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