Mosquitoes play a big role in our lives. If you are not screaming because of their painful bite, you might fear the transmission of diseases. It is sometimes difficult to focus on what happens to a mosquito when we start to fight it. And while we are in a war with mosquitoes it is important to know their life and how it grows. This text will take us through the life of the mosquito, showing the stages of development and how they connect to our ecosystem. Understanding the whole miracle of life and the influence of mosquitoes in our environment is important. So, fasten your seatbelt, and let’s go through the life of mosquitoes and see how they grow.
1. The Egg Stage: Beginning of a Journey
An egg is where the mosquito life begins. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, and the eggs need water to survive and hatch. Depending on the species, the eggs may be laid in a stagnant puddle, marshes, or in any other container holding rainwater, such as the back of an old tire or bucket. Take note of the egg stage:
Where do they lay their eggs? Egg raft: some eggs are laid in clumps or ‘rafts’ that float at the water’s surface. Some lay their eggs singly, and others in clumps.
You should know: Mosquito eggs are small (0.2-1 mm) usually oval or cylindrical, and usually hard and dark in color, sometimes coated with wax to protect against predators and environmental conditions.
Duration: Depending on the temperature and the availability of water, the eggs can hatch in a matter of days or weeks. Generally, warmer temperatures will hasten the period.
2. The Larva Stage: Growing Up Underwater
When the eggs hatch, the young insects that emerge are often called ‘wrigglers’ because they wriggle in the water. In the larval stage, growth and feeding are most important. Here’s what to know about the larval stage:
Photo by Elena KalininaAppearance: Larvae are tiny worms with a distinct head, thorax, and abdomen, while their breathing tube is located at the end of their bodies and is used for consuming air from the surface of the water.
Habitat: They live in water and usually feed on microorganisms and organic matter. They are found swimming sub-surface somewhat close to the water’s surface to get oxygen.
Behavior: Wriggles around with its body; larvae swim up to the surface to breathe.
Duration: The larval stage lasts anywhere from a few days to several weeks (depending on species and environmental conditions). They undergo several molts as they grow.
3. The Pupa Stage: Transformation Time
Following the larval stage, mosquitoes move into the pupal stage. This is commonly called the ‘tumblers’ stage because that’s just what they do in water: tumble (or spin). It’s a critical period in transforming into an adult mosquito. What happens during this pupal stage?
Appearance: Pupae are more spherical and display a distinct comma-like look. Pupae don’t feed, and are mostly inactive, floating just under the water’s surface.
Metamorphosis: In the pupa, the mosquito’s body is transformed. Her wings, legs, and other features of the adult form develop.
Period: The pupal stage is a relatively short duration: from several days to a week, depending upon the species and the temperature of the water. Warmer temperatures result in faster development.
4. The Adult Stage: Entering the World
Image via WikipediaFinally, the adult mosquito emerges from the pupa. It is the adult that lives its life on the surface of the earth. Here are some details for the adult mosquito:
Appearance: adult mosquitoes have wings and can fly; they have a long and thin body with long legs and a proboscis, which they use to feed.
Mating and Feeding: the females need to feed on blood to develop eggs; males feed on nectar and other products of plants. Mating takes place an hour or so after the adult mosquitoes emerge from the pupal stage.
Adult lifespan: The adult mosquito lifespan can be as short as a couple weeks, or as long as a few months depending on the species and environment.
Reproduction: Once the female mosquito has fed and developed her eggs, she will deposit them on water and carry on the cycle.
The Role of Mosquitoes in the Ecosystem
Mosquitoes might seem like just pests, but they play important roles in their ecosystems:
Food Source: Mosquito larvae provide food for fish and frogs as well as backswimmers, water striders, dobsonflies, midges, and many other aquatic insects. The adult mosquitoes became food for birds, specifically chickadees, but also bats and other insectivores.
Pollinator: some mosquito species feed on nectar and help to pollinate plants, promoting the health of many ecosystems.
Why Understanding the Mosquito Life Cycle Matters
Understanding the life cycle of mosquitoes is important for several reasons:
Disease Prevention: Mosquitoes are known to transmit pathogens such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. The knowledge of their life cycle enables targeted interventions such as killing breeding larvae or spraying adult insect repellents or insecticide at critical times to reduce their numbers and help to reduce disease.
Control Measures: Mosquito control – including reducing standing water and using larvicides is based on knowledge of its life cycle. Larvae and pupae are ideal targets, as the adult mosquitoes will never emerge from them.
Educational Value: Studying the mosquito lifecycle can help us understand the complexity of the natural world and the interdependence of living organisms. It can encourage a deeper understanding of environmental science and ecology.
Female mosquitoes lay eggs that float on water, and those eggs develop into adult mosquitoes that fly in your face. In between there are a couple of crunchy in-betweens, and all of it is fairly cool, an evolutionary journey from one part of LIFE to another, and an important one in the world of the mosquito. So, next time you realize you’ve been vacuuming along not paying attention and you notice that you just vacuumed a fly away, stop and think about where the fly has been. I will.
