Do both male and female mosquitoes feed on blood?

In the context of mosquitoes, only female mosquitoes require blood for reproductive purposes. The blood provides essential nutrients that help in the development of their eggs. Females have specialized mouthparts that allow them to pierce the skin of their hosts and draw blood, which is critical for successful reproduction.

Males, on the other hand, do not feed on blood. Instead, they primarily consume plant nectar and other sugar sources for energy. This difference in feeding behavior is essential for understanding the role of female mosquitoes in disease transmission, as they are the ones that bite and can transmit pathogens to humans and animals.

This distinction is fundamental to mosquito biology and has implications for control strategies, public health measures, and understanding the ecology of these insects.