How Mosquitoes Use Six Needles to Suck Your Blood

Scientists have found that the mosquito's mouth, or proboscis, is made up of more than one small spear. It is a highly developed system of tiny needles that puncture the skin, locate blood veins, and make it simple for mosquitoes to draw blood from the victim.

Male mosquitoes avoid biting humans, but when a female mosquito pierces our skin, the labium, a flexible lip-like sheath, scrolls up and remains outside as she pushes in six needle-like components known as stylets.

These two needles, known as maxillae, feature minute teeth. They are used by the mosquito to pierce the skin. Because they are so sharp, you hardly notice when a mosquito bites you.

Walter Leal, a scientist at the University of California, Davis, compared them to drill bits.