Mosquito heads. Light micrograph of the heads of a male (left) and female (right) mosquito (family Culicidae). The mosquitos head is dominated by its large compound eyes (black spheres). Sprouting from the head are long, plumose (featherlike) antennae, which are sensory organs covered in fine hairs. Males have more elaborate antennae, which allow them to locate females for mating. The long thin proboscis protruding from the head is used for feeding. Only female mosquitoes feed on blood.