explain the life cycle of a mosquito
Answers
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.
Pupa: The pupal stage is a resting, non-feeding stage of development, but pupae are mobile, responding to light changes and moving (tumble) with a flip of their tails towards the bottom or protective areas. This is the time the mosquito changes into an adult. This process is similar to the metamorphosis seen in butterflies when the butterfly develops - while in the cocoon stage - from a caterpillar into an adult butterfly. In Culex species in the southern United States this takes about two days in the summer. When development is complete, the pupal skin splits and the adult mosquito (imago) emerges.
Adult: The newly emerged adult rests on the surface of the water for a short time to allow itself to dry and all its body parts to harden. The wings have to spread out and dry properly before it can fly. Blood feeding and mating does not occur for a couple of days after the adults emerge.
How long each stage lasts depends on both temperature and species characteristics. For instance, Culex tarsalis, a common California (USA) mosquito, might go through its life cycle in 14 days at 70° F and take only 10 days at 80° F. On the other hand, some species have naturally adapted to go through their entire life cycle in as little as four days or as long as one month.
All mosquito species go through four distinct stages during their life cycle: Egg - hatches when exposed to water. Larva - (plural: larvae) "wriggler" lives in water; molts several times; most species surface to breathe air. Pupa - (plural: pupae) "tumbler" does not feed; stage just before emerging as adult.
The mosquito life cycle is composed of four stages: eggs, larval, pupae and adult.
Stage 1: Eggs
Only female mosquitoes have the ability to lay eggs. In order to develop eggs, the female needs a blood meal. With each blood meal, the female can lay several hundred eggs. The eggs are laid in or around water and will attach to one another, forming a raft. Individual eggs will float independently. After 24 to 48 hours, the eggs will hatch and release larvae. ADAPCO carries a natural trap where the mosquito goes to lay her eggs and the eggs fall below a net and cannot successfully emerge as adult mosquitoes.
Stage 2: Larvae
Mosquitoes spend approximately seven days to complete development of the larval stage depending on food and temperature conditions. During this time, the water can be treated with different larvicides to prevent the larvae from going into the next stage.
Stage 3: Pupae
A week to ten days after the eggs hatch, the larvae transform to pupae. At this time, they can breathe oxygen. However, they cannot feed (bite). Mosquitoes spend one to two days in the pupae stage. The water can still be treated during this stage and there are some products that provide quick mortality.
Stage 4: Adult
Once the mosquitoes have reached adulthood, they will feed on nectar; only the female mosquito will seek out a blood meal for reproduction. The adult mosquito lives for a period of six to eight weeks. A female will lay several batches of eggs during her life. Adult mosquitoes can be killed by spraying with handheld, backpack, truck mounted and even airplane sprayers. There are a variety of mosquito adulticides available containing different active ingredients. Chemicals should be rotated yearly so the mosquitoes do not build resistance to that active ingredient.
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