Mosquito Lifecycle

All insects, including mosquitoes, begin life as an egg. After some time, eggs will hatch into mosquito larvae, resembling small, aquatic caterpillars. Mosquito larvae spend the majority of their time eating, grooming, and evading predators. Mosquito larvae molt their skin four times over the course of their lives, each time growing a little larger. 

Following the fourth and final larval molt, larvae metamorphose into a cocoon stage, called a pupa. Mosquito pupae no longer eat, similar to caterpillar cocoons, and are preparing to emerge as adults. Unlike caterpillar cocoons, however, mosquito pupae are highly mobile and capable of evading predators.

After a short time, mosquito pupae emerge as winged adults. Adult mosquitoes are most vulnerable immediately after emerging from the water, as their wings are not immediately ready to fly. After a short time, however, adult mosquitoes take flight, and seek their first meal: most often nectar from a nearby plant, as most mosquitoes rely on plant nectar for food.

Not all mosquitoes drink blood. Many species of mosquitoes rely on nectar their entire life, which can range from one week to two months, without ever needing blood. However, in many species, female mosquitoes require blood in order to obtain protein to produce eggs; male mosquitoes do not drink blood. Soon after a bloodmeal, females are ready to lay another batch of eggs, repeating the cycle once more.

5 Fascinating Facts