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The mosquito goes through four separate and distinct stages of its life cycle.
Egg, Larva, Pupa, and Adult. Each of these stages can be easily recognized by its special appearance.
Eggs are laid one at a time or attached together to form "rafts." They float on the surface of the water. Most eggs hatch into larvae within 48 hours; others might withstand subzero winters before hatching. Water is a necessary part of their habitat.
Larva lives in the water and comes to the surface to breathe. Larvae shed (molt) their skins four times, growing larger after each molt. Most larvae have siphon tubes for breathing and hang upside down from the water surface. The larvae feed on microorganisms and organic matter in the water. During the fourth molt the larva changes into a pupa.
Pupal stage is a resting, non-feeding stage of development, but pupae are mobile, responding to light changes and moving (tumble) with a flip of their tails towards the bottom or protective areas. This is the time the mosquito changes into an adult. This process is similar to the metamorphosis seen in butterflies when the butterfly develops - while in the cocoon stage - from a caterpillar into an adult butterfly. This takes about two days in the summer. When development is complete, the pupal skin splits and the adult mosquito emerges.
Adult: The newly emerged adult rests on the surface of the water for a short time to allow itself to dry and all its body parts to harden. The wings have to spread out and dry properly before it can fly. Blood feeding and mating does not occur for a couple of days after the adults emerge.
How long each stage lasts depends on both temperature and species characteristics. Some species have naturally adapted to go through their entire life cycle in as little as four days or as long as one month.
