Mosquitoes Bite More During Droughts

Typically, about 5-10% of female mosquitoes feed at any time during normal weather situations. However, a new study found that lab-induced dehydration led to a 30% feeding rate, suggesting that mosquitoes try to hydrate on blood when water is not available. Study co-author Dr. Elise Didion writes, “It makes sense… We find the highest transmission rates of West Nile virus during droughts because mosquitoes may use blood meals to replace the water they lose.” Scientific Reports, May 2018