Mosquito Finds a Blood Vessel: The process of blood-feeding demonstrated by Anopheles gambiae involves two major steps. During the probing phase, a mosquito uses its flexible proboscis to locate a blood vessel. While this phase is underway, the arthropod releases saliva via the salivary canal below the surface of the skin to counteract physiological responses to the bite, such as hemostasis and inflammation. After a blood vessel has been found, the engorgement phase begins. Blood can be seen flowing towards the labrum and into the food canal. Suction from blood sucking causes the vessel wall to collapse, especially at the beginning. Source: Choumet, et al. #science #biology #entomology #nature #GIF