Where Do Mosquitoes Lay Their Eggs?
WouterAlmost all mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. This type of water is usually still and attracts the female mosquito to lay their eggs.
There are several different species of mosquitoes, but all of them must have water to survive. Some mosquitoes lay their eggs directly on the surface of the water, but others lay in rafts, which are groups of eggs arranged vertically. These rafts stick together because of the surface attraction.
The female mosquito lays her eggs in places where water can collect, such as a depression on the ground, a tree hole or an old tire. She uses her blood to nourish the eggs. The female can lay up to 500 eggs before she dies.
The female mosquito has four distinct stages in her life cycle. The first stage is the egg, which is tiny and narrow. Once deposited, the eggs are white. They start to darken within a day.
The second stage is the larva, which is aquatic and a very active form of the mosquito. The larva develops into a pupa, which is slightly less active. It then goes through four stages of growth called instars. During this process, it sets up pockets of cells and grows into an adult body. It breathes through breathing tubes in its tail. The mosquito larvae then change into an adult body after molting into a non-feeding pupa.
After the adult emerges, it rests on the surface of the water for a short time to harden its body. After this time, it will begin blood feeding.
