It's summer! But that also means mosquitoes are out there! Have you ever wondered why they bite us?
Summer is finally here! This warm season comes with barbecues, longer days, and hot weather. However, every summer comes with another thing: mosquitoes! That’s right! In the summer, we start to get mosquito bites on our skin and unbearable itching. Read on to find out why mosquitoes bite us.
It's for a good cause
Generally, several theories come to mind when we wonder why mosquitoes bite us.
The first is that they bite us and exist to spread diseases. That’s why they’re referred to as “pests.” By biting multiple people, mosquitoes can spread various diseases from one person to another, such as dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, and even chikungunya.
The second explanation is that mosquitoes bite to ensure natural selection within the species. Only the most skillful, fastest, and stealthiest mosquitoes survive. But how is this possible? By evading the hands that are trying, as best they can, to kill them. The most agile and stealthy mosquitoes do not end up squished by hands that chase them.
However, neither of these two explanations is correct. The real reason mosquitoes bite us is for a good cause. Did you know that only female mosquitoes bite? Female mosquitoes bite us solely to nourish the eggs in their abdomen. So, in reality, it’s not really the blood they’re after, but rather the proteins it contains. Our blood ensures the maturation of the eggs inside the female’s abdomen.
Humans aren't the only ones that get bitten
Did you know that people aren’t the only ones who get bitten by mosquitoes? Other animals are also targets of these tiny flying insects. Pets like cats and dogs can also be susceptible to mosquito bites, even though they have fur. They look for hairless areas to bite, such as around the eyes, around and inside the ears, or even the belly and the tip of the nose.
However, these aren't the only animals that fall victim to mosquito bites. Cows, pigs, and sheep, as well as birds and reptiles, can get bit by mosquitoes as well.
But why do mosquito bites itch?
When mosquitoes bite us, they inject various substances into our skin. These include an anesthetic, microbes, and bacteria, as well as an irritant. That’s why, after a bite, we feel itchy and have an irresistible urge to scratch.
However, even though they annoy us all summer long, they are nonetheless very useful to the ecosystem. They are the primary food source for many species, which in turn serve as food for others, and so on. Furthermore, mosquitoes, just like bees, play a role as pollinators, helping to sustain many plant species around the world. We really need them!
Originally written by Salomée Vidal (Yummypets) and translated by Jennifer Eubank (Yummypets).
Source : Rtl.fr
