Which mosquitoes feed on blood, male or female?

Prepare for the Hospital Corpsman First Class (HM1) Advancement Exam with comprehensive quizzes and detailed explanations. Enhance your knowledge and confidence for the exam!

The correct answer is that female mosquitoes are the ones that feed on blood. This behavior is primarily linked to their reproductive cycle. Female mosquitoes require the protein and iron found in blood to develop their eggs. When a female mosquito feeds, she uses a specialized mouthpart called a proboscis to pierce the skin of her host and access blood vessels.

In contrast, male mosquitoes do not feed on blood. Instead, they primarily consume nectar and similar sugar-rich substances which provide them with the energy they need for survival. Therefore, understanding the role of female mosquitoes in blood feeding is crucial for comprehending their biology and the implications for disease transmission, as females are also the vectors for several serious diseases.

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