Mosquitoes, like many other insects, undergo a complete metamorphosis, meaning they transform through four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
- Egg Stage: A female mosquito lays her eggs on the surface of stagnant water, usually in areas with ample nutrients, such as ponds, puddles, or even containers holding water.
- Larva Stage: After 24 to 48 hours, the eggs hatch, releasing larvae, also known as "wrigglers." These larvae live in the water and feed on microorganisms.
- Pupa Stage: The larvae eventually molt into a pupa, which resembles a comma-shaped structure. This stage is a transitional period where the mosquito undergoes significant internal changes.
- Adult Stage: After a few days, the adult mosquito emerges from the pupa. The adult female mosquito then searches for a blood meal, which she needs to produce eggs.
Therefore, a mosquito's birth occurs when an egg hatches into a larva. The process of metamorphosis then leads the larva through stages of development until it emerges as an adult.
