Buzz
"The consequences of this inquiry are quite significant," remarks entomologist Michael Raupp. "Imagine mosquitoes flying recklessly, fainting in cold beer mugs, or attempting to mate with crane flies instead of fellow mosquitoes. It's a troubling scenario!" Nevertheless, no comprehensive studies have been conducted to confirm whether mosquitoes get drunk—or even tipsy—after consuming human blood with elevated alcohol levels.
However, there is at least one common bloodsucker that unquestionably can't handle its beer. In 1994, Norwegian researchers Anders Baerheim and Hogne Sandvik investigated the effects of beer on "the appetite of leeches." "Six leeches," they reported after their experiment, [PDF] "were briefly dipped in two types of beer (Guinness or Hansa Bock) or in water (control) before being placed on the forearm of one of us... After being exposed to beer, some leeches altered their behavior, swaying their bodies, losing their grip, or flipping onto their backs."
And don't forget about that Honey Nut Cheerios bee! Drunk honeybees can become so "buzzed" that they can no longer maintain their balance or crash into objects while flying under the influence.
So, what about mosquitoes? Could a swarm of tipsy bloodsuckers be angrily circling your neighbor’s outdoor keg party?
Many species of mosquitoes also enjoy feasting on fruits, including those that tend to ferment. As a result, they’ve likely developed a decent tolerance for naturally occurring alcohol.
In fact, beer drinkers might actually be attracting more mosquitoes. "Just one 12-ounce bottle of beer can make you more appealing to insects," says Smithsonian blogger Joseph Stromberg. While researchers aren’t entirely sure why consuming beer increases susceptibility to insect bites, they do warn that people "drinking alcohol should be aware of their heightened risk of mosquito bites and exposure to mosquito-borne diseases." Now there's a pleasant summer thought.
