When you think of mosquitoes in Atlanta, chances are you think of them sucking your blood. However, male mosquitoes do not bite. Their proboscis is significantly smaller in size compared to the female. Because of this, they can't pierce through the skin. Even if they could, male mosquitoes would not need to because they don't need to feed on blood for protein.
What Do They Feed On?
Male mosquitoes like to feed on nectar from different plants. Water lilies, hyacinths, and water lettuce are sure to attract lots of male mosquitoes as some of their favorites are flowers found near water. Plant sap is another favorite of male mosquitoes. The main sap mosquitoes feed on is phloem. This sap is water-like and full of sugars, minerals, and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are essential for the mosquito’s ability to fly. Male mosquitoes also love honeydew. Honeydew is less concentrated when compared to phloem sap. However, it's just as sweet and delicious to the mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes only need to feed on plant sap, which is high in carbohydrates, not sugars.
There’s An Exception
One genus of mosquito has shown that its males do feed on blood. The Culex quinquefasciatus is the mosquito most known for carrying malaria and dengue. The males of this genus were seen feeding on blood-soaked cotton rolls. These mosquitoes are found throughout the world in tropical and subtropical regions. Studies showed that the male mosquitoes chose the blood source over nectar, their natural source of energy. It is unclear whether this preference for blood occurs naturally or just under controlled conditions, such as those generated in a laboratory setting.
We Handle Female Mosquitoes!
The fact that male mosquitoes do not feed on the blood means they rarely come into contact with us. Female mosquitoes, however, are always seeking their next source of protein-filled blood. Contact the experts at Tuxedo mosquito to find out which of our mosquito treatment solutions best fits your needs.