Some mosquitoes are capable of transmitting diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and encephalitis. They may also transmit heartworms to dogs. The females are blood feeders, and have mouthparts adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood. The males do not take blood meal, and both sexes feed on nectar of various plants. Mosquitoes have a wide variety of hosts.
Some species feed on cattle, horses, or other domestic animals while others prefer man.
A few species feed only on cold-blooded animals and some live entirely on nectar or plant juices. Some are active at night and others only during the daytime. To learn more about mosquitoes check out the University of Florida Featured Creatures. This insect bio created by Kim McCanless and Joe Jonovich .