Did you know that mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths than any other animal on the planet? Every year, mosquitoes transmit deadly diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Zika and encephalitis to millions of people, causing countless deaths. Mosquitoes also pose a threat to our pets, as they can carry heartworm and other parasites.
But mosquitoes aren’t just bloodthirsty killers. They’re also fascinating creatures that have flown across this planet for over 100 million years. They have complex life cycles, amazing sensory abilities and diverse feeding preferences and they can even synchronize their wing beats to find mates.
That’s why every year on August 20th, we celebrate World Mosquito Day. This day honors the discovery of doctor Sir Ronald Ross in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit malaria to humans. World Mosquito Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers and the prevention of mosquito viruses, as well as to appreciate the fascinating biological makeup of these insects.
To mark this occasion, we’ve crafted a fun and exciting game filled with mosquito facts for you to test your knowledge. How much do you know about the world’s deadliest animal? Let’s find out!
From historical events to biological fun facts, it’s time to dive deeper into the world of mosquitoes.
Q1: How Many Species of Mosquitoes are There in the World?
A) About 270
B) About 2,700
C) About 27,000
D) About 270,000
Answer: B) About 2,700
There are about 2,700 species of known mosquitoes in the world. They’re classified into three specific subfamilies: Anophelinae, Culicinae and Toxorhynchitinae. Each subfamily contains different species that have distinct characteristics and behaviors, with different habitats and different behaviors. Who’d have thought?
Q2: What do Mosquitoes Eat?
A) Blood
B) Nectar
C) Both blood and nectar
D) Neither blood nor nectar
Answer: C) Both blood and nectar
You might not know this, but mosquitos actually feed on both blood and nectar, depending on their sex and where they are in their life cycle. And actually, only female mosquitoes bite people and animals for blood – they need blood to produce eggs. Male mosquitoes don’t bite at all; they feed solely on nectar and other plant juices. Female mosquitoes also feed on nectar when they’re not preparing to produce eggs and reproduce.
Q3: How do Mosquitoes Find Hosts?
A) By sight
B) By smell
C) By sound
D) By all of the above
Answer: D) By all of the above
Have you ever wondered what makes a mosquito particularly attracted to one person or another? Well, they’ve been specifically chosen. Mosquitoes use a combination of sensory cues to locate their hosts. They can see movement and contrast, especially in low-light conditions. They can smell carbon dioxide and other chemicals emitted by their hosts from up to 100 feet away, so if someone smells good, they know it. This also means that they can smell mosquito repellent from a ways away, even if it doesn’t always work!
Q4: Which Mosquito Species is Known to Feed on Reptiles and Amphibians?
A) Aedes albopictus
B) Anopheles quadrimaculatus
C) Culex tarsalis
D) Mansonia titillans
Answer: D) Mansonia titillans
Mansonia titillans is a mosquito species found in the Americas, especially in the southeastern United States. It’s also known as the “reptile mosquito” because it feeds on the blood of reptiles and amphibians, such as turtles, snakes, frogs and salamanders. It can also bite humans and other mammals, but less frequently.
Q5: Which Mosquito Species is Known to Transmit Malaria to Penguins?
A) Aedes aegypti
B) Anopheles arabiensis
C) Culex pipiens
D) Culex sitiens
Answer: D) Culex sitiens
Culex sitiens is a mosquito species that’s found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and Australia. It’s also known as the “penguin malaria mosquito” because it’s the only known transmitter of avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) to penguins. This disease has caused significant mortality among endangered African penguins in South Africa.
Q6: How Long do Mosquitoes Live?
A) A few days
B) A few weeks
C) A few months
D) A few years
Answer: B) A few weeks
The lifespan of a mosquito depends on a variety of factors, like species, temperature, humidity, predators and human interaction. Most adult mosquitoes live for about two to four weeks, but some can live longer under better conditions.
Q7: Where do Mosquitoes Lay Their Eggs?
A) On land
B) In water
C) In air
D) In fire
Answer: B) In water
Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle. Most female mosquitoes lay their eggs in or near water, such as ponds, marshes, swamps, buckets or even stray bottle caps. Some species lay their eggs on the water surface individually while others lay them in hundreds.
Q8: Which Mosquito Species is Known as the “London Underground Mosquito”?
A) Aedes aegypti
B) Anopheles gambiae
C) Culex pipiens
D) Culex quinquefasciatus
Answer: C) Culex pipiens
Culex pipiens is a common mosquito species that’s found worldwide, but it’s also known as the “London Underground mosquito.” But why? This mosquito species adapted to live in the underground, man-made tunnels of the London Underground during World War II, when the stations were used as shelters from the bombings. This population of mosquitoes became genetically distinct from the above-ground population and developed a preference for biting humans and rats.
Q9: What’s the Main Reason Why Mosquitoes Bite Some People More Than Others?
A) Blood type
B) Body odor
C) Body temperature
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
What attracts mosquitoes to some over others? Mosquitoes are attracted to multiple factors that change from person to person. These factors include blood type, body odor, body temperature, carbon dioxide, sweat, dark clothing, perfume, alcohol, and even pregnancy. Some of these factors are influenced by genetics, while others are more obviously influenced by diet, lifestyle, or environment. This is why some people are more appealing to mosquitoes than others, so it’s important for everyone to be proactive despite what mosquitos prefer.
Q10: Which Mosquito Species is Known to be the Most Invasive in the World?
A) Aedes aegypti
B) Aedes albopictus
C) Anopheles stephensi
D) Culex pipiens
Answer: B) Aedes albopictus
Aedes albopictus is a mosquito species originally found in Southeast Asia, but has spread to over 60 countries on six continents. It’s also known as the “Asian tiger mosquito” because of its black and white striped body. What makes this species particularly spooky is that it’s a highly adaptable and aggressive mosquito that can breed in various habitats and bite during the day and night, transmitting a variety of harmful diseases.
Q11: What is the Name of the Insect, One Considered the State Insect of South Carolina, That is a Natural Predator of Mosquitoes?
A) Praying mantis
B) Honey bee
C) Tiger beetle
D) Carolina mantid
Answer: B) Honey bee
The honey bee is a highly social insect that produces honey and beeswax, pollinating various crops and flowers along the way. It’s a beloved insect that’s both cherished and protected, and was the state insect of South Carolina from 1984 to 1988 before it was changed to Carolina mantid.
The honey bee is a natural predator of mosquitoes — it can catch and eat them in flight, devouring hundreds a day. The honey bee can help reduce the mosquito population and the risk of mosquito-borne diseases thanks to its voracious mosquito-eating appetite.
Take Care of Your Mosquito Problem Fast With Terminix
As you can see, mosquitoes are not only deadly, but also diverse and fascinating. They’ve evolved to survive and thrive in different environments and situations and have made a definitive impact on human history and culture in many ways.
However, mosquitoes are also a serious threat to public health and well-being. They cause millions of deaths and illnesses every year and reduce the quality of life for many people who suffer from their bites and nuisance.
That’s why we need to take action to protect ourselves and our communities from mosquitoes and their diseases, relying on professional help when we face a mosquito problem that is beyond our control.
That’s where Terminix comes in. Terminix is a leading provider of mosquito solutions in and around South Carolina. We offer effective and affordable services that will eliminate mosquitoes from your property and keep them away for good.
So don’t let mosquitoes ruin your World Mosquito Day or any other day. Contact Terminix today and let us take care of your mosquito problem once and for all. You deserve a mosquito-free life!