Mosquito Life Cycles

There are about 2,500 different species of mosquitos throughout the world. Each species of mosquito lives in a different area, is attracted to the blood of different types animals and exhibits its own unique behavior. The life cycle of a mosquito is an interesting process.

  1. Stage One

    • According to the agricultural department at the University of Oklahoma, the egg is the first part of the mosquito's life cycle. The first stage begins with the female mosquito and the laying of her eggs. After an egg is laid, it takes two to four days to hatch.

    Stage Two

    • Once the egg hatches, the second stage or cycle of the mosquito's life begins. This stage is called the larvae stage. In the water, the larvae develops by feeding on bacteria and algae. The larvae stage lasts approximately five days.

    Stage Three

    • After the larvae stage, the mosquito goes into the pupae stage. During the pupae stage, a skin develops around the larvae in order to place the mosquito in hibernation. This stage typically lasts about two days. After it passes, the skin that accumulated around the pupae begins to split and the mosquito emerges as an adult.

    Stage Four

    • Once the mosquito is an adult, it has entered its final life cycle, which lasts four to eight weeks.

    Considerations

    • Although approximately 2500 varieties of mosquitos exist, all types go through the same four-stage life cycle. Regardless of a mosquito's life cycle, one thing remains true: mosquitos transmit disease and cause misery for humans all over the world.