Why do mosquitoes need blood if they eat nectar too?
Quick Answer
Only female mosquitoes need blood, because the protein and iron help them produce eggs. Males and females both drink nectar for energy.
The Full Story
Female mosquitoes usually take blood meals to get the nutrients needed for egg production, especially proteins and iron. Nectar provides sugars for energy, but it does not supply the amino acids required to develop eggs. This is why only females of many mosquito species bite animals and humans. In some species, one blood meal can help a female develop a batch of hundreds of eggs. Mosquitoes have existed for more than 100 million years, and their blood-feeding behavior is tied to reproduction, not general hunger.
Key Facts
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