Minnesota residents are well aware of mosquitoes, often referred to as the unofficial state bird. In northern Minnesota they are a particular factor in the enjoyment of the outdoors, and here in the deep woods of northern Minnesota where I live mosquitoes are a constant consideration between May and September.

I think we all get the premise of mosquitoes: Little insects that land on you, inserting their little “needle straws” into our bodies to extract blood. (“Needle straw” is my term, not something you will find in a reputable textbook).

But what does it really look like when mosquitoes bite us? This microscopic YouTube video of a mosquito biting a mouse lets us know in stunning detail:

(h/t 3quarksdaily)