Earliest-known fossil mosquito suggests males were bloodsuckers too

Oldest mosquito fossil shows males were once bloodsuckers too

Oldest fossil mosquito found in Lebanese amber suggests ancient males also fed on blood, revising our knowledge of mosquito evolution.

Earliest-known fossil mosquito suggests males were bloodsuckers too

Researchers have found the earliest-known fossil mosquito in Lower Cretaceous amber from Lebanon. What's more, the well-preserved insects are two males of the same species with piercing mouthparts, suggesting they likely sucked blood. That's noteworthy because, among modern-day mosquitoes, only females are hematophagous, meaning that they use piercing mouthparts to feed on the blood of people and other animals.

Earliest-known fossil mosquito suggests males were bloodsuckers too

Researchers reporting in the journal Current Biology on December 4 have found the earliest-known fossil mosquito in Lower Cretaceous amber from Lebanon. What's more, the well-preserved insects are two males of the same species with piercing mouthparts, suggesting they likely sucked blood. That's noteworthy because, among modern-day mosquitoes, only females are hematophagous, meaning that they use piercing mouthparts to feed on the blood of peopl…

Earliest known fossil mosquito is a blood-sucking surprise

Insects trapped in amber reveal that male mosquitoes, too, could once extract blood. Insects trapped in amber reveal that male mosquitoes, too, could once extract blood.

Earliest-Known Fossil Mosquito Found in Lebanese Amber

Paleontologists have described a new species of mosquito found in 125-million-year-old amber from Lebanon. The post Earliest-Known Fossil Mosquito Found in Lebanese Amber appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.