Male mosquitoes do not suck human blood. From which of the following sources do male mosquitoes normally obtain their food?

Introduction / Context:
Mosquitoes are notorious for biting humans and transmitting diseases, but not all mosquitoes feed in the same way. A frequently tested biology and general knowledge fact is that male and female mosquitoes differ in their feeding habits. Understanding this difference is important both for exams and for public health awareness. This question asks from where male mosquitoes actually obtain their food, given that they do not normally suck human blood.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is specifically on male mosquitoes, not females.
• We know that female mosquitoes of many species suck blood to obtain proteins for egg production.
• The options include human blood, standing water, sap and nectar of plants, and dung and organic debris.
• We assume normal, non experimental field conditions.

Concept / Approach:
Both male and female mosquitoes require energy for survival, which they mostly obtain from plant sugars. Males do not need blood for egg development and therefore do not bite humans or animals for blood. Instead, they feed on nectar, plant sap, or other sugary plant exudates. Females also feed on nectar but additionally seek blood meals. Standing water is used for breeding, not feeding. Dung and debris may harbour larvae, but adults do not feed on them. Therefore, the correct answer is that male mosquitoes take their food from the sap and nectar of plants.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the key fact that male mosquitoes do not bite humans to suck blood; only females typically do this in many species. Step 2: Understand that all adult mosquitoes need energy, which they mainly get from sugars. Step 3: Recognise that nectar and plant sap are rich sources of sugars and are commonly visited by many insects, including male mosquitoes. Step 4: Compare the options: human blood is clearly incorrect for males; standing water is a breeding site, not a food source; dung and debris are not typical adult mosquito foods. Step 5: Conclude that the correct option is sap and nectar of plants, as this is the primary food of male mosquitoes.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, remember that mosquito control programmes often mention that only female mosquitoes require blood to produce eggs, while both sexes are attracted to flowers and sugar sources. Entomology references describe male mouthparts as adapted mainly for sucking plant juices, not piercing skin. If you contrast that with the piercing and sucking behaviour of females, it becomes clear that males rely on plant sap and nectar. This consistent description across scientific and educational sources confirms the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Human blood is wrong because male mosquitoes lack the behavioural pattern and, in many species, the mouthpart specialisation needed for regular blood feeding. Standing water is incorrect since it serves as a place for egg laying and larval development, not as food for adult males. Dung and organic debris do not serve as a primary food source for adult male mosquitoes; at most, they are habitats for other organisms. Thus, only plant sap and nectar match the actual feeding behaviour of male mosquitoes.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that all mosquitoes, regardless of sex, feed on blood, simply because we associate all mosquitoes with bites. Another pitfall is confusing breeding sites with feeding sites, leading to the wrong choice of standing water. To avoid these errors, remember the simple rule: males feed on plant sugars, females feed on plant sugars plus blood for egg development. This clear distinction allows you to identify sap and nectar of plants as the correct food source for male mosquitoes.

Final Answer:
The correct option is Sap and nectar of plants, because male mosquitoes normally obtain their food from plant sugars rather than from human blood.