How Large Can Mosquitoes Get?
WouterGenerally, mosquitoes are about one-quarter to one-half inch long at their adult stage. They weigh about five milligrams and have three pairs of long legs. They usually mate within a few days of emerging from their pupal stage.
They live in moist environments and breed in shady areas. Their larvae feed on aquatic plants, insects, and other animals. They overwinter in outbuildings, basements, and caves. They are especially troublesome after heavy rainfall or floods. They also transmit diseases such as Western Equine Encephalitis, Bird Malaria, and West Nile Virus.
They are members of the order Diptera, or the family Culicidae. The family is derived from the Latin culex, which means gnat or midge. It includes some of the most common genera.
There are four stages in the life cycle of a mosquito. They are larva, pupa, adult, and nymph. Each stage has its own length, and the time it takes to develop depends on the ambient temperature and larval environment. Some species develop from egg to adult in a matter of five days.
Adult mosquitoes have brilliantly patterned wings. They have three pairs of long legs, and a beak for feeding. They also have halteres attached to their thorax. They can fly up to twenty miles from their water source. Their antennae are used for odor detection.
Their larvae are about as large as a thumb, and feed on sweet liquids and nectar. They are about as large as the smallest dragonfly in Malaysia.
