c. Mosquitoes have complete metamorphosis, with four distinct, stages in their
Iife cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult (see figure 1-7).
Figure 1-7. Life cycle of the mosquito.
d. An adult female may lay several eggs to hundreds of eggs on water or in low
places where water collects. The eggs of Anopheles and Culex are laid on the water,
whiIe those of Aedes are laid on damp or loose soiI that is Iikely to be flooded later.
Aedes eggs are laid singly, as are Anopheles. The eggs of some Anopheles have floats
to keep them on top of the water; whiIe Culex eggs are laid in rafts (see figure 1-8).
Figure 1-8. Examples of how mosquito eggs are laid.
e. The eggs incubate for several days and then hatch into larvae or "wrigglers."
The time required for an egg to hatch varies within each genus of mosquitoes.
f. The larva molt (shed the skin and grow) four times, the last molting resulting
in the pupa. The total larval period usually takes about seven days, depending upon
temperature and species of mosquito. The pupa, or "tumbler," is remarkably active.
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