![]() ![]() Like all true insects, mosquitoes have three major body parts: head, thorax and abdomen. The head is the sensory center for the mosquito, where the compound eyes and antennae are located, as well as the proboscis used for feeding. The thorax is composed of three body segments and each segment has one pair of legs. The abdomen is composed of ten body segments and hosts the insect's digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems. ![]() ![]() The mosquito at the right is just emerging from its pupal stage on the surface of a stagnant pond. Only female mosquitos draw blood; they need it to provide nourishment for their eggs. The actual tube that punctures your skin like a hypodermic needle is hidden inside. As the 'needle' emerges from its sheath and enters your skin, the mosquito first injects anti-coagulant into your blood, to thin it and keep it from coagulating (turning into a solid) in its stomach. It's this anti-coagulant that causes tha allergic reaction in your skin, resulting in redness and itching. ![]() ![]() ![]() |