How far can mosquitoes detect body heat?

Mosquitoes are equipped with sensory mechanisms that allow them to detect body heat from a distance. This ability is critical for locating warm-blooded hosts, such as humans and animals, which serve as sources of blood meals for the insects. Research has shown that mosquitoes can sense body heat effectively from about 10 feet away. This detection is part of a suite of cues, including carbon dioxide and body odor, that mosquitoes use to home in on their targets.

The other distances listed in the options, such as 5 feet, 15 feet, and 20 feet, either underestimate or overestimate this ability. At 5 feet, mosquitoes would still be primarily using other senses to locate hosts, while distances beyond 10 feet would likely exceed the effectiveness of their heat detection capabilities. This precise range reflects their evolutionary adaptations for host-seeking behavior, enhancing their survival and reproductive success.