Life Cycle of Mosquito

Introduction

The life cycle of a mosquito comprises several distinct stages, each characterised by unique morphological traits. These stages also differ in terms of their habitat, with the earlier stages being aquatic while the adult stage is aerial. Despite the existence of numerous mosquito species, their life cycles generally share common features.

Different species of mosquitoes undergo more or less a similar life cycle. Some of them are vectors to common diseases like dengue and malaria. It is, therefore, important to study the life cycle of a mosquito in order to understand how different species undergo metamorphosis and how we can prevent their breeding. 

To prevent or check the breeding of some species of vector mosquitoes, one should prevent the accumulation of stagnant water, clean breeding zones regularly, and develop and spray insecticides to prevent their spread.

Procedure

• Take a permanent slide of stages of the life cycle of a mosquito and observe it under the compound microscope.
• Observe the slide first under a lower magnification of 10X.
• Then, observe the slide under a higher magnification of 40X.
• Study the different stages of the life cycle of a mosquito. 

Observation

A mosquito’s life cycle begins when the female lays 200-300 eggs on the surface of standing water like ponds, lakes, ditches, cesspools or temporarily stagnant flood water. This aquatic phase marks Day 0 in a mosquito’s life cycle and prolongs for 1-2 days.

The second stage is the larval stage, during which the eggs hatch into larvae, a process that occurs exclusively in aquatic environments. The third stage is the pupal stage, where larvae undergo a moulting process to transform into pupae, which also inhabit water. Finally, the fourth and last stage is the adult stage, where a pupa undergoes metamorphosis to become a terrestrial adult mosquito.

FAQs on Mosquito Life Cycle