Elaine Watson, age 12, of Schenectady,   Iew York, for her question:

Thy don't male mosquitoes suck blood?

Beware of the female mosquito, for this little blood sucker attacks human flesh. Usually you can detect her from afar, for she makes an extra loud buzzing sound. The male mosquito is less aggressive in every way. His buzz tends to sound softer. And he does not suck human blood. odor does he attach: numerous animals, as the female does. However, perhaps the male mosquito should be a blood sucker  if he could.

The female has a strong beak, fitted with sturdy small tools. They are capable of piercing the skin, injecting material that prevents the blood from clotting, and sipping up the liquid. The male mosquito has the same sort of beak, complete with tool kit But his beak is not strong, enough to pierce skin. he must be content to sip sap from tender plants. maybe he would like to suck blood, but his beak is too weak to stab through to the supplies.