A female yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti feeding on human blood. Visible beneath the head is the proboscis,which is inserted into the skin. The proboscis consists of a labium,or sheath,that surrounds the slender sucking & piercing stylets. During feeding the labium is drawn back elbowlike (seen here under the head),allowing the stylets to plunge into the skin & drink (blood is seen in the tubes). Only the female drinks blood. It is a necessity for the proper development of her eggs. During her blood meal the female may transmit the arbovirus responsible for yellow fever. The male feeds on nectar | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Dohrn, Martin |
Bildgröße: | 5036 px × 3555 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |