It isn’t summer in Florida without mosquitoes! This gallery exhibit uses stunning images to swat away myths about these divisive insects and display their fascinating behavior and value to ecosystems. Learn about their role as pollinators and food as well as about mosquito research at the University of Florida’s Medical Entomology Laboratory. Panels also inform visitors about the insects’ anatomy, life stages, feeding habits and how a changing climate might affect where they are found and disease transmission.
Mosquitoes feed on an American crocodile in the Everglades. Photo courtesy of Lawrence Reeves
The gallery displays the incredible diversity of mosquito species. This is an elephant mosquito, which are the largest in Florida and only feed on flower nectar. Photo courtesy of Lawrence Reeves
In addition to learning about mosquitoes’ value as food for other creatures, visitors will also learn about their role as pollinators. Here, mosquitoes feed on milkweed nectar. Photo courtesy of Lawrence Reeves
The gallery features spectacular imagery of mosquitoes in nature. Here, three mosquitoes feed on a leech. Photo courtesy of Lawrence Reeves
Mosquito Majesty
Incredible high-resolution images by entomologist Lawrence Reeves showcase the rarely seen beauty of mosquitoes. See the incredible diversity of mosquito species, including some types that don’t cause any harm to humans, and the fascinating behaviors they exhibit.
What’s For Dinner?
Humans aren’t the only animals on a mosquito’s menu – mosquitoes feed on other mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and even worms. See incredible photos of mosquitoes in nature demonstrating their diverse eating habits.
Mosquitoes’ primary source for food and energy is flower nectar, not blood, making them useful pollinators. Only the females of some species require blood to produce eggs.
The U.S. is home to almost 200 mosquito species, around 90 of which are found in Florida.
In the past decade, 10 new species of non-native mosquitoes have been found in Florida – and more are likely coming as the climate warms and global connectivity increases.