It is not a myth or legend: it is the female mosquitoes (or mosquitoes) that bite people and animals. The males are harmless to our skin and never bite us.

The question is: why does this phenomenon occur?

Need for reproduction: females need the proteins, iron and amino acids in their blood so that their eggs can grow and mature.

It is not to survive: no mosquito needs blood to live day to day. Their main food (for both males and females) is flower nectar, sugar water and plant sap.

Different anatomy: females have a special mouth (trunk or proboscis) with small needles to cut the skin and suck. Males do not have such a mouth and their parts are only used to eat plants or detect females.

Key data

The males eat plants: they spend their time on the flowers looking for sugar.

How they choose who to bite: females use our body heat, sweat and the air containing carbon dioxide (CO2) that we breathe to find each other.

What are the effects of bites

Mosquito bites usually cause mild and temporary effects, but some mosquitoes or mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases.

Common effects

Allergic reactions

Blisters, hives, or significant swelling may appear in some people. In very rare cases, anaphylaxis can occur, a medical emergency that can cause difficulty breathing, dizziness, or swelling of the lips and throat.

Transmitted diseases

If the mosquito is infected, the bite can transmit dengue, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, malaria, West Nile virus and some types of encephalitis. Symptoms of a transmitted disease may include fever, headache, muscle aches, rash, chills, nausea, or tiredness; Malaria can be life-threatening if left untreated.

When to seek care

Consult a professional if you develop fever after a bite, severe symptoms, worsening redness, pus, a red line extending from the injury, or general discomfort. Seek urgent care if you have difficulty breathing, fainting, or swelling of your face, lips, or throat.

Life cycle and at what stage they itch the most

The mosquito goes through four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The first three occur in water; Under favorable conditions, some species such as Aedes can complete the cycle in approximately 7–10 days.

Stages of the cycle

At what stage do they bite?

Mosquitoes bite only when they are adults and, mainly, females. They need blood to develop their eggs; Males feed mainly on nectar and other plant liquids.

The time of greatest activity depends on the species: Aedes aegypti usually bite during the day, especially early and late afternoon, while some Anopheles bite more in the evening or at night.

Why do they hum?

Mosquitoes buzz because their wings beat very quickly, producing vibrations in the air. That high-pitched sound is usually heard more when they fly close to the ear.

The hum is not intended to bother us: it is part of their communication and can help males and females locate each other to mate.

Females also detect carbon dioxide, heat and body odors, which is why they often come close to our head.

Effective methods to repel female mosquitoes

Female midges or mosquitoes are the ones that usually bite because they need protein to produce eggs; The most effective methods to repel them are:

Ultrasonic devices, aromatic plants, vinegar and tricks such as lemon with cloves should not be considered reliable methods to prevent bites. If you are in an area with dengue, Zika or chikungunya, the safest thing to do is to combine repellent, covered clothing, mosquito nets and removal of stagnant water.

You may also be interested in:

· Pet allergies are not due to their hair: the real culprit is someone else · How to sleep better when the heat does not let up · Keys to protecting babies from extreme heat in summer

This news has been tken from authentic news syndicates and agencies and only the wordings has been changed keeping the menaing intact. We have not done personal research yet and do not guarantee the complete genuinity and request you to verify from other sources too.