What is the life cycle of mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes of different species lay their eggs in a variety of water sources that range from small containers to vast expanses of marshland. The larval stage is always aquatic and shuttles from the subsurface where it filter feeds on micro-organisms to the surface to obtain oxygen through a snorkel-like breathing apparatus. The pupal stage does not feed but unlike most insect pupae is extremely active. The adult emerges from the pupal case using air pressure and assume a terrestrial existence. Mosquitoes have four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa and adult. As mentioned, they spend their larval and pupal stages in water. Female mosquitoes of most pest species in Mercer County deposit eggs on moist surfaces such as mud or fallen leaves. Rain refloods these surfaces and stimulates the hatching of the eggs, thus starting the life cycle. Other mosquito species in the county lay their eggs on the surface of permanent water and since the water is constantly present, there are always e