Mosquitoes

• Name: The name mosquito comes from a Spanish word meaning "little fly"
• Species: There are over 3,000 different mosquito species throughout the world with 176 of these species being found in the United States
• Size: Mosquitoes range in size but do not usually grow to be longer than .6 in
• Appearance: Thin bodies made up of three sections and two wings

Mosquitoes are common pests that are found in many areas of the world. Many people believe that the reason mosquitoes bite humans is because they need to feed on human blood, but this is not true. Mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, similarly to bees. Female mosquitoes suck blood in order to help with the development of their eggs prior to laying them. Male mosquitoes do not feed on blood at all. Although mosquitoes can be very annoying to humans and at times dangerous because of their ability to carry and transmit diseases, they play an important role in the ecosystem because they serve as a food source for many organisms.