How Many Eggs Do Mosquitoes Lay?
WouterVarious mosquito species live in different environments. Some species prefer a moist soil while others prefer water. Some are active in summer while others are active during the winter.
Female mosquitoes lay eggs in water or on damp soil. Depending on the species, they can lay hundreds of eggs in a single season. Some species lay eggs in groups called egg rafts. These egg rafts are wedge-shaped, like canoes. They may be laid in stagnant water or rainwater ponds. The number of eggs a female mosquito lays in a lifetime can reach up to 500.
Mosquito eggs are generally laid singly or in clusters. They can be found in salt marshes, ponds, rainwater, and tree holes. They can also be found in the tops of some mushrooms.
Some mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti, spread viruses that cause dengue fever, yellow fever, and Zika. Female mosquitoes live up to two months after biting. They feed on plant juices, honey-dew, and blood. Some species, such as the Culex pipiens, lay up to 100 eggs in a single night.
Some mosquito species lay single eggs on the surface of water while other species lay groups of eggs in damp soil. Some species, such as the Anopheles, lay eggs that are susceptible to drying out during prolonged droughts.
The female mosquito also needs a blood meal to lay eggs. She will acquire blood by biting an animal. The blood provides protein for the eggs to develop.
