Do Mosquitoes Need Water to Lay Eggs?
WouterWhether you’re pondering whether mosquitoes need water to lay eggs, or wondering where they’re breeding, you’re not alone. According to Nathan Burkitt-Cadena, senior author of a new University of Florida study, most mosquitoes lay eggs in a variety of locations.
The scientists studied the female Aedes aegypti mosquito, the mosquito that spreads viruses that cause yellow fever. They found that the mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs in water that has a specific bacterial growth, rather than a plain, filtered water.
Previously, scientists believed that all Culex mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. However, the University of Florida study found that a variety of Culex species lay eggs in a wide variety of locations.
The researchers found that the female yellow fever mosquitoes preferred water with fatty acids, a chemical that is associated with bacteria that degrade organic matter. This could be an effective tool for controlling mosquitoes.
When the female mosquito bites another animal, it acquires blood to use in egg laying. The blood is rich in protein, which is required to lay eggs. It takes 3-5 days for the blood to be digested. Once the blood is eaten, the female mosquito begins the egg-laying process.
The mosquito larvae develop for seven to ten days. They then pupate for two days, and then emerge as an adult mosquito. In the process, they consume bacteria and protozoans, which help them survive. They also molt several times before they are fully mature.
