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Do mosquitoes have 47 teeth?

Published in Mosquito anatomy 1 min read

While it's a common misconception that mosquitoes have 47 teeth, they actually don't have teeth as we know them. Mosquitoes, particularly females, have a sharp, needle-like mouthpart called a proboscis. This proboscis is composed of six needles, two of which have 47 tiny serrations resembling teeth. These serrations help the mosquito saw through skin and locate a blood vessel for feeding.

It's important to note that these serrations aren't teeth in the traditional sense, but rather sharp edges on the needles.

In summary, mosquitoes don't have teeth; they have a proboscis with serrated needles that they use to pierce skin and draw blood.

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