Which mosquito mouthpart is a long, tubular structure used for piercing and sucking?

Which mosquito mouthpart is a long, tubular structure used for piercing and sucking?

• A. Proboscis
• B. Siphon
• C. Bridge Vector
• D. Reservoir Host

Answer: (A)

The mouthpart that fits this description is the proboscis. It’s a long, slender, tubular feeding structure that the mosquito extends to pierce the skin and suck up blood. Inside the proboscis are the sharp mouthparts (the stylets) that do the piercing, while saliva with anticoagulants helps the blood flow. The siphon, by contrast, is a larval breathing tube used at the water surface, not a feeding tool in adults. Bridge vector and reservoir host are epidemiology concepts describing disease transmission roles, not anatomy.

The mouthpart that fits this description is the proboscis. It’s a long, slender, tubular feeding structure that the mosquito extends to pierce the skin and suck up blood. Inside the proboscis are the sharp mouthparts (the stylets) that do the piercing, while saliva with anticoagulants helps the blood flow. The siphon, by contrast, is a larval breathing tube used at the water surface, not a feeding tool in adults. Bridge vector and reservoir host are epidemiology concepts describing disease transmission roles, not anatomy.