S2E26 Dusk Hunters: The Anatomy of a Blood Meal

June's Summer Rain series wraps up with a tribute to Gulf Coast mosquitoes.

In this episode of Outbreak After Dark, Heather and Kate explore the anatomy of a mosquito bite—from the moment a female mosquito detects carbon dioxide to the itch that keeps you awake long after she's gone.

Topics include:

• How mosquitoes find humans • Why only female mosquitoes take blood meals • The surprising anatomy hidden inside a mosquito's proboscis • Why mosquito bites itch • Histamine, nerves, and the science of scratching • Why some people attract more mosquitoes than others • Mosquito-borne diseases and changing mosquito ranges • Practical mosquito prevention tips

Plus: a Galveston mosquito disaster and an unexpectedly heated discussion about the plural of proboscis.

Recipes for Night Hum, Wheal & Fizz, Grilled Proboscides, and Afterbite are available in the accompanying blog post at infectiousdose.com

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