The slim, well-proportioned body and the colorful, shimmering appearance make Sabethes mosquitoes the “beauty queen” in the world of mosquitoes, attracting the attention of photographers and biologists alike.
The photo Gil Wizen spent a lot of time searching for – (Photo: Gil Wizen)
Scientist and photographer Gil Wizen, a Canadian, dedicated several months in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador solely to find and capture impressive photographs of the unique Sabethes mosquito.
These mosquitoes are quite common in Central and South America and are often regarded as the “most beautiful mosquitoes in the world.” Their bodies, from the torso to the wings and legs, exhibit stunning, shimmering colors. This vivid coloration also serves as a “weapon” for males to attract mates during the breeding season.
As an entomologist, Gil is particularly passionate about unique species like the Sabethes mosquito. Despite his extensive experience, capturing a perfect photo of this “most beautiful mosquito in the world” is not straightforward; it requires skill, patience, and sometimes enduring pain.
In the light, these mosquitoes display dazzling colors that immediately captivate and mesmerize viewers. The curved hind legs of the mosquito while feeding are also quite impressive and contribute to the majestic appearance of Sabethes.
Witnessing the beauty of Sabethes in person is a truly special experience since this type of mosquito is notoriously “sneaky” and difficult to photograph beautifully, making it a sought-after subject for photographers and biologists.
Approximately 3,500 species of mosquitoes have been identified worldwide. However, most of them possess blood-sucking traits, which makes it challenging to gain human favor. For example, Aedes mosquitoes are known to transmit diseases like dengue fever.
In contrast, Sabethes mosquitoes are entirely different. Their stunning colors make it hard for people to accept them as a type of mosquito. The bright colors, unlike many other mosquitoes, are associated with their developed visual perception.
It is known that when the mosquitoes we typically see look for mates, males locate females by the frequency of their wing beats. However, Sabethes mosquitoes can find each other directly through sight. Even when a female is stationary, a male can still locate her.
Aedes, Culex mosquitoes, and others tend to be active during cooler times. But Sabethes mosquitoes are primarily diurnal and are most active when temperatures and humidity are at their peak.
According to Gil, Sabethes mosquitoes are incredibly sensitive. In the humid conditions of the Amazon rainforest, they react to the slightest signs of movement and light around them.
“This means you have to remain absolutely still when photographing Sabethes mosquitoes. Fortunately, you won’t be alone with just one mosquito; there are usually dozens, if not hundreds, flying around you,” Gil explains.
The colorful shimmering body of Sabethes – (Photo: Flickr).
Despite their alluring beauty, Sabethes mosquitoes pose a threat to local residents and experts venturing into the wilderness. They are vectors for many tropical diseases, such as yellow fever and dengue fever.
Every year, numerous scientists have contracted various diseases from Sabethes mosquitoes while conducting research in the Amazon. Photographers, in particular, have sometimes exposed themselves to mosquito bites to capture the perfect shots.
The shimmering colors help mosquitoes easily attract mates – (Photo: Flickr)
Close-up of the smooth leg hairs of Sabethes – (Photo: GETTY IMAGES)
Despite their beauty, Sabethes mosquitoes are vectors for many dangerous diseases – (Photo: Flickr)
Like more than 3,300 different mosquito species known worldwide, only female Sabethes mosquitoes suck blood; otherwise, they feed on nectar.
Whenever they feed, their hind legs bend forward, not as a posture but because their legs are sensory; they detect movement and allow them to escape in case of danger.
Interesting Facts About the Most Beautiful Mosquito in the World
What is the function of the shimmering paddle-shaped middle legs?
Of course, to court potential mates.
When a male Sabethes mosquito encounters a female, he will attempt to approach and perch on a branch together. The male will place one of his paddle legs over the female’s wing to prevent her from flying away. Next, the male begins to jump, waving his other paddle leg. Soon after, the male moves his front legs and body rhythmically and systematically.
The male mosquito is very persistent to have a mating opportunity.
This courtship dance is very energy-consuming and directly affects the male mosquito’s lifespan. However, for them, producing the next generation is much more important. Moreover, to have a mating opportunity, male mosquitoes are quite persistent. If the female does not respond, the male repeats the entire dance continuously until the female accepts or kicks him away.
Interestingly, male mosquitoes in the reproductive phase not only seek females but also “express joy towards handsome male friends,” approaching and performing courtship dances. The males being “courted by their same-sex peers” usually remain silent, sometimes kicking the lively males who disturb them.
There is a peculiar imbalance in the natural world, where male animals tend to have more beautiful and colorful fur than females. For example, roosters, peacocks, etc. However, the Sabethes cyaneus is different; the beautiful females are no less attractive than the males, which amazes evolutionary researchers.
Female mosquito (left) and male mosquito (right), both have shimmering hairy middle legs, but their abdomens are different: the male’s abdomen is slightly broader at the end, while the female’s tapers.
Can less attractive male mosquitoes find mates?
In nature, females are often a relatively scarce resource, and males must endure fierce competition for limited mating opportunities. Some males decide to win by fighting, like moose; others win hearts by constantly showcasing their beauty, like peacocks. Under this sexual selection pressure, females tend to be less conspicuous, while males are alluring and attractive.
However, Sabethes cyaneus is not only a rare “bisexual” species in nature; males can also find mates even without their flashy paddle legs.
Sabethes mosquitoes mating.
Researchers at Uppsala University in Sweden conducted a series of experiments to understand why both male and female Sabethes cyaneus are beautiful. They found that removing the male’s eye-catching paddle legs did not significantly reduce their mating success. Males without paddle legs could still jump to attract females, and the likelihood of females accepting them was comparable to that of males with paddle legs.
Conversely, if females lack paddle legs, the likelihood of being favored by males decreases dramatically. In other words, while it seems that males perform courtship dances and showcase their large paddles, in reality, they are assessing the females’ paddle preferences before engaging in the dance.
Further research shows that the size of female paddle legs is proportional to reproductive capacity. When females have large paddle legs, it indicates strong reproductive capability and attracts more males to court them.
Three mosquitoes in the picture: the male on the far left is courting the female in the middle, and a male on the far right is just observing.
