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- Mosquitoes are known from as far back as the Triassic Period – 400
million years ago. They are known from North America from the Cretaceous – 100
million years ago.
- There are about 2,700 species of mosquito. There are 176
species in the United States.
- The average mosquito weighs about 2.5 milligrams.
- The average mosquito
takes in about 5-millionths of a liter of blood during feeding.
- Mosquitoes
find hosts by sight (they observe movement); by detecting infra-red radiation
emitted by warm bodies; and by chemical signals (mosquitoes are attracted
to carbon dioxide and lactic acid, among other chemicals) at distances of
25 to 35 meters.
- Mosquitoes fly an estimated 1 to 1.5 miles per hour.
- Salt marsh mosquitoes
can migrate up to 40 miles for a meal.
- Bigger people are often more attractive
to mosquitoes because they are larger targets and they produce more mosquito
attractants, namely CO2 and lactic acid.
- Active or fidgety people also produce
more CO2 and lactic acid.
- Women are usually more attractive to mosquitoes
than men because of the difference in hormones produced by the sexes.
- Blondes tend to be more attractive to msoquitoes than brunettes.
- Smelly feet are attractive
to mosquitoes – as is Limburger Cheese.
- Dark clothing attracts mosquitoes.
- Movement increased mosquito biting up
to 50% in some research tests.
- A full moon increased mosquito activity 500%
in one study
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