How Fast Mosquitoes Reproduce
WouterDepending on the type of species, mosquitoes reproduce in several different ways. Some mosquitoes lay eggs on moist soil, while others lay them in stagnant water. They can also breed in containers filled with flowers or potted plants. Most other mosquitoes deposit eggs in ditches or tree holes.
Female mosquitoes usually lay between 50 and 150 eggs at a time. Depending on the species, the clutches are small or large. Some species can lay up to 500 eggs.
Female mosquitoes feed on blood, which contains proteins, nutrients and enzymes. This helps explain their aggressiveness towards humans. They can drink up to seven times more blood than they weigh.
The female mosquito first goes to the water to search for a host, then extracts the blood from it. This gives her the protein she needs for reproduction. Once she has found a blood source, she lays the egg. Afterwards, the egg hatches in 48 hours. The larvae will then develop for 7 to 10 days. During this time, the larvae will molt four times.
The pupae will then begin to mature and will eventually emerge as an adult. The pupae can live for about a week or more, and can move about while they are developing. They cannot survive without water.
The adult bloodsucker will mate within a few days of emerging. Males have special appendages on their genitals, which help them pick up sounds from the female.
The mosquitoes life cycle is similar to other insects. It is completed in a week or more during the summer, and up to a month in winter.
