less than 1 minute read

Mosquito



Mosquito, any of 35 genera of small insects belonging to the fly order Diptera of the family Culicidae. Mosquitoes have long legs and 2 wings capable of beating about 1,000 times a second. Males survive on plant juices; females feed on the blood of mammals. They are able to pierce skin with needlelike parts in their proboscises. Certain species transmit diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and encephalitis.



Additional topics

21st Century Webster's Family Encyclopedia21st Century Webster's Family Encyclopedia - Mississippian to Mud hen