Mosquito surprise: This is how the little beasts survive the cold Antarctic!

Mosquito surprise: This is how the little beasts survive the cold Antarctic!

In the frosty expanses of the Antarctic, the mosquito Belgica Antarctica defies the extreme conditions and has established itself as the only surviving insect in this barren landscape. A group of Japanese researchers examined their life cycle, which includes huge adjustments to the cold temperatures and the short lifespan of adult mosquitoes that only live for a few days. During their development, their larvae go through a forced resting phase, which enables them to survive the harsh winter. Rarely presented in our moderate climate zone, the research of this mosquito in the specialist journal "Scientific Reports" has aroused particular interest, since it developed incredible mechanisms for survival in one of the most relentless environments of the earth, as the Krone reported.

How mosquitoes their victims recognize

When consumers are confronted with mosquitoes in summer, the question often arises: why is only I stabbed? While some remain unscathed, the little blood suckers are drawn to other people. The selection of their victims not only depends on the skin scents, but also on our breath: carbon dioxide plays a central role in the attraction of mosquitoes. These can be attracted by this gas, which we release with every exhalation. Under the influence of their highly developed sensory organs, they head for their prey, with body temperature and sweaty also play a role. Annika Hinze from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences explains that mosquitoes are used up to 50 meters away from their destination from CO2 to orientate themselves, as