Fig. 390.—Anopheles maculipennis, Meigen. Enlarged. (After Grassi.)
Everyone is aware that mosquitoes swarm at sunset in fine weather, and then seek out human beings and other warm-blooded animals to take food. In this regard, however, the sexes differ, for it is almost without exception that the females only suck blood, while the males subsist on the juices of plants (blossoms or fruits).[384] After sucking, and when night has fallen, the mosquitoes find a place of refuge, for which purpose they utilize the grasses or foliage of trees and bushes, or inhabited or uninhabited rooms of houses, also cellars, stables, verandahs, etc., where they also pass the day.
[Some mosquitoes bite in the daytime—Stegoymia and some Anophelines; some bite right into the night, as Culex fatigans and C. pipiens.—F. V. T.]
The period required for digestion varies according to the temperature. It takes two days in summer, and may take up to ten days or more in cool weather. After digestion is complete more food is taken up, this being necessary [in some species only—F. V. T.] for the maturing of the sexual products in the female.
Fig. 391.—Larva of Anopheles maculipennis, Fabr. Enlarged. (After Grassi.)
