How Often Do Mosquitoes Reproduce?
WouterDepending on the mosquito species, it may take a few days to a few months to complete the mosquito’s life cycle. Its lifespan depends on the temperature and the environment.
Mosquitoes reproduce in four stages. First, they develop into a larva. The larva molts several times and changes into a pupa. The pupa then matures into an adult mosquito. The adult mosquito lays eggs.
Female mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water and in the moist soil. They can lay between 50 and 500 eggs at a time. They can lay eggs in different places including moist soil, ditches, water bottles, and on the inside walls of trees.
Depending on the mosquito species, the larvae will molt four times. The larvae develop into pupae within seven to ten days. The pupa is a semi-transparent exoskeleton. The pupa is slightly less active than the larva. The pupa breathes at the surface of the water. Its skin splits at this point.
After the pupa has matured, the female mosquito starts searching for a suitable host. She can mate with several males over a couple of days. The sperm produced by the male is passed on to the female. After a blood meal, the female mosquito will lay a few eggs. The female mosquito’s life span is usually a few weeks to several months.
Depending on the mosquito species, it may lay eggs in different places. It may lay eggs in clumps of 25 to 100 eggs. Some species deposit eggs on moist soil, while other species lay eggs on water. Depending on the mosquito species, the eggs may hatch within 24 hours. The eggs are tiny.
