The Life Cycle Of A Mosquitoes

Life Stages of Aedes Mosquitoes

 Eggs 

 Adult  female mosquitoes lay their eggs on the inner, wet walls of containers with water, above the waterline.  Mosquitoes generally lay 100-200 eggs at a time. Eggs are very hardy; they stick to the walls of a container like glue and can survive to dry out for up to 8 months— even over the winter in the southern United States.  It only takes a very small amount of water to attract female mosquitoes. Bowls, cups, fountains, tires, barrels, vases and any other container storing water make for a great “nursery.”

 Larva 

Larvae emerge from mosquito eggs, but only after the water level rises to cover the eggs. This means that rainwater or humans adding water to containers with eggs will trigger the larvae to emerge. Larvae feed on microorganisms in the water. After moulting three times, the larva becomes a pupa. 

Pupa 

 Pupae will develop until the body of the newly formed adult flying mosquito emerges from the pupal skin and leaves the water. 

Adult •

After adult mosquitoes emerge: male mosquitoes feed on nectar from flowers and female mosquitoes feed on humans and animals for blood to produce eggs. • After feeding, female mosquitoes will look for water sources to lay more eggs. • Aedes aegypti only flies a few blocks during its life.  Unlike other mosquito species, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes prefer to bite people. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes prefer to live near people. They can be found inside homes, buildings, and businesses where window and door screens are not used or doors are left propped open.