How Long Do Mosquitoes Take to Hatch?
WouterDuring the life cycle of a mosquito, its larvae are first molted four times, before they eventually become adult mosquitoes. The length of this process varies from species to species. The larval stage can take seven days or more, depending on food availability.
Female mosquitoes lay their eggs on damp soil or in standing water. Some species lay their eggs directly in the water while others lay them in small depressions or in rafts on the surface of the water. Some of these species can lay hundreds of eggs at a time. Some female mosquitoes are capable of flying up to five miles. They tend to mate once.
During the larval stage, mosquito larvae feed on bacteria, algae, and protozoans. They eat the organic matter in the water and grow to about five millimeters. Some species overwinter as larvae. They then enter the pupal stage, which lasts seven to ten days.
Once the mosquito enters the pupal stage, it does not feed anymore. It can still move around but it cannot survive without water. The adult mosquito emerges from the pupa two days later.
The adult mosquito normally feeds on sugar from plant sap or fruit juice. Its wings are then dried so that it can fly away. The adult mosquito is also equipped with a proboscis to extract blood from its host. Some species overwinter in the dormant state for several months or years.
The female mosquito of most species lays a single egg, but some other species lay up to three or more. Some of these species lay their eggs in rafts on the water while other species lay their eggs in moist soil.
