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Mosquito Life Cycle
The mosquito goes through four separate and distinct stages of its life
cycle: Egg, Larva, Pupa, and Adult. Each of these stages can be easily
recognized by its special appearance.
Egg: Eggs are laid one at a time or attached together to
form “rafts.” They float on the surface of the water. In the case of Culex
and Culiseta species, the eggs are stuck together in rafts
of up to 200. Anopheles, Ochlerotatus and Aedes, as
well as many other genera, do not make egg rafts, but lay their eggs singly.
Culex, Culiseta, and Anopheles lay their eggs on the
water surface while many Aedes and Ochlerotatus lay their eggs on damp
soil that will be flooded by water. Most eggs hatch into larvae within 48 hours;
others might withstand subzero winters before hatching. Water is a necessary
part of their habitat.
Larva: The larva (plural -
larvae) lives in the water and comes to the surface to breathe. Larvae shed
(molt) their skins four times, growing larger after each molt. Most larvae have
siphon tubes for breathing and hang upside down from the water surface.
Anopheles larvae do not have a siphon and lie parallel to the water
surface to get a supply of oxygen through a breathing opening.
Coquillettidia and Mansonia larvae attach to plants to obtain
their air supply. The larvae feed on microorganisms and organic matter in
the water. During the fourth molt the larva changes into a
pupa.
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Mosquito Life Cycle
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