Yes, evidence suggests mosquitoes likely feel pain. A 2022 review found strong evidence for pain in adult insects of the order Diptera, which includes mosquitoes and flies. [^1, ^2, ^3] While the experience of pain in insects may differ from that of humans, studies indicate they possess the neurological capacity for nociception—the ability to detect and respond to potentially harmful stimuli. [^4, ^5] This response includes behavioral changes like escaping a painful stimulus. [^6] Further research indicates that certain compounds, such as those found in catnip, can activate pain receptors in mosquitoes. [^7] Although some sources previously suggested insects don't feel pain, [^8] this view is increasingly challenged by scientific findings. [^9, ^10]
It's important to note that the exact nature of pain experience in mosquitoes may not be identical to human pain. Our understanding of invertebrate pain is constantly evolving.
[^1]: Can insects feel pain? A review of the neural and behavioural evidence. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0065280622000170)
[^2]: Insects may feel pain, says growing evidence – here's what this means for animal welfare laws. (https://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2022/se/insects-may-feel-pain-says-growing-evidence--heres-what-this-means-for-animal-welfare-laws.html)
[^3]: Pain in invertebrates - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pain_in_invertebrates)
[^4]: Do Insects Feel Pain? – Entomological Society of Canada (https://esc-sec.ca/2019/09/02/do-insects-feel-pain/)
[^5]: Do mosquitoes feel pain? Sometimes when I zap them and they don ... (https://www.quora.com/Do-mosquitoes-feel-pain-Sometimes-when-I-zap-them-and-they-dont-die-instantly-they-go-crazy-on-the-floor)
[^6]: Catnip makes mosquitoes feel pain (https://cen.acs.org/environment/climate-change/Catnip-makes-mosquitoes-feel-pain/99/i8)
[^7]: Catnip makes mosquitoes feel pain (https://cen.acs.org/environment/climate-change/Catnip-makes-mosquitoes-feel-pain/99/i8)
[^8]: Can bugs feel pain? : r/askscience (https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/a2fv96/can_bugs_feel_pain/)
[^9]: Insects may feel pain, says growing evidence – here's what this means for animal welfare laws. (https://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/2022/se/insects-may-feel-pain-says-growing-evidence--heres-what-this-means-for-animal-welfare-laws.html)
[^10]: Do Insects Feel Pain? – Entomological Society of Canada (https://esc-sec.ca/2019/09/02/do-insects-feel-pain/)
