Close-up of an unidentified species of mosquito feeding on human skin. The mosquito's long proboscis (thin, reddish-brown structure) is visible penetr

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Close-up of an unidentified species of mosquito feeding on human skin. The mosquito's long proboscis (thin, reddish-brown structure) is visible penetrating the skin at right. The elbow- shaped mouthpart which is seen gripping the proboscis at skin level is the stylet sheath, a modified labium. This sheath normally covers the proboscis, but bends backwards as the mosquito bites, allowing the proboscis to slide through its tip and enter the host's skin.

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Size: 5146px × 3425px
Photo credit: © DR. PETE BILLINGSLEY, UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN/SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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