I was photographing this Butterweed (Packera glabella) for detail of the individual blossom (swatting at mosquitos that DID want my blood) when I noticed this mosquito enjoying the nectar of a nearby blossom.  I was intrigued; I didn’t know mosquitos sipped nectar.  Read the rest of the entry for a video.

Butterweed, Yellowtop – Packera glabella – with Asian Tiger Mosquito – Aedes albopicts

This video shows this Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopicts) enjoying its meal.  In looking up the mosquito to find the species, it appears that it is one that is indicated as a carrier of West Nile Virus.  According to an article at the Washington Post, the only food of the male Asian tiger mosquito is nectar.  The female mosquito drinks human blood,  and unlike many native mosquitos, the Asian tiger female will bite at any time of the day.  There are native mosquitos that will bite only around dusk and dawn, staying out of the sun, others that bite only at night.  There are a few that will bite during the day, especially when you’re out of the sun.  Because of the overlap between day- and night-biting species, along with those that feed usually only at dusk or dawn, dusk and dawn are the most active times for mosquito feeding.