Mosquitoes, those tiny insects that make us uncomfortable, could also lay us open to malaria, dengue and chikungunya. They live in damp areas and reproduce in water.
The life cycle of this bug begins in holes filled with water, tide water pools in salt marshes, sewage effluent ponds, irrigated pastures and rain water ponds.
The four main types of mosquitoes, namely Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, and Culiseta, each have their own distinctive environmental requirements and this helps us to identify a particular species also.
It is best to remember that all mosquitoes have four distinctive phases, namely the egg, larva, pupa and adult stages, in their life cycle. The eggs are laid in water or on damp surfaces and float on them. In addition, species like Culex and Culiseta lay eggs of 100 or more that are discovered stuck to each other in the fashion of a raft.
However, Anopheles mosquitoes lay their eggs on water and Aedes are known to lay their eggs mostly on damp soil. The eggs take two days to hatch and turn into the larval stage.
The mosquito larvae, known commonly as wrigglers or wigglers, live in water for a period of a week or two depending on the temperature of the water. The larvae come regularly to the surface of the water to take in oxygen with the aid of siphon tunes.
However, species like the Anopheles have no such body parts and generally breathe by lying flat on the water. It is interesting to note that mosquito larvae shed their skin four times and after the fourth stage they metamorphose into pupae.
Mosquito pupae, commonly called "tumblers", live in water for from one to four days depending largely on the species and temperature. In this stage, called the resting and non-eating stage in the life cycle, the insect can be seen lying on the surface of water.
In this stage it breathes through its two breathing tubes known as trumpets. This is the important and last stage before the mosquito turns into an adult and begins spreading infection. Once the change is complete, the pupa opens and the adult emerges.
When the adult mosquito is formed, it waits on the surface of the water for its body to dry and harden. After a while, the mosquito is able to spread its wings and fly. It is interesting to note that adult female mosquitoes are more aggressive than the males that feed just on the nectar of flowers.
Aedes female mosquitoes are known for their sore and persistent bites especially during the daytime and they attack mostly humans. The Culex specie resembles Aedes, However they are known to strike after dusk and have a preference for domestic and wild birds. They transmit encephalitis or sleeping sickness.
The Culiseta mosquito is a somewhat aggressive biter that strikes during evening hours and in shade. Anopheles mosquitoes are known for passing on malaria in humans.
Ultimately, it is a good idea to know that most female mosquitoes have to feed on an animal before they can produce eggs, with some dying before laying viable eggs.
In addition,some species live near their breeding place while others fly as far as 100 miles from their breeding spot. Male mosquitoes live a shorter life than female mosquitoes.
The life cycle of this bug begins in holes filled with water, tide water pools in salt marshes, sewage effluent ponds, irrigated pastures and rain water ponds.
The four main types of mosquitoes, namely Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, and Culiseta, each have their own distinctive environmental requirements and this helps us to identify a particular species also.
It is best to remember that all mosquitoes have four distinctive phases, namely the egg, larva, pupa and adult stages, in their life cycle. The eggs are laid in water or on damp surfaces and float on them. In addition, species like Culex and Culiseta lay eggs of 100 or more that are discovered stuck to each other in the fashion of a raft.
However, Anopheles mosquitoes lay their eggs on water and Aedes are known to lay their eggs mostly on damp soil. The eggs take two days to hatch and turn into the larval stage.
The mosquito larvae, known commonly as wrigglers or wigglers, live in water for a period of a week or two depending on the temperature of the water. The larvae come regularly to the surface of the water to take in oxygen with the aid of siphon tunes.
However, species like the Anopheles have no such body parts and generally breathe by lying flat on the water. It is interesting to note that mosquito larvae shed their skin four times and after the fourth stage they metamorphose into pupae.
Mosquito pupae, commonly called "tumblers", live in water for from one to four days depending largely on the species and temperature. In this stage, called the resting and non-eating stage in the life cycle, the insect can be seen lying on the surface of water.
In this stage it breathes through its two breathing tubes known as trumpets. This is the important and last stage before the mosquito turns into an adult and begins spreading infection. Once the change is complete, the pupa opens and the adult emerges.
When the adult mosquito is formed, it waits on the surface of the water for its body to dry and harden. After a while, the mosquito is able to spread its wings and fly. It is interesting to note that adult female mosquitoes are more aggressive than the males that feed just on the nectar of flowers.
Aedes female mosquitoes are known for their sore and persistent bites especially during the daytime and they attack mostly humans. The Culex specie resembles Aedes, However they are known to strike after dusk and have a preference for domestic and wild birds. They transmit encephalitis or sleeping sickness.
The Culiseta mosquito is a somewhat aggressive biter that strikes during evening hours and in shade. Anopheles mosquitoes are known for passing on malaria in humans.
Ultimately, it is a good idea to know that most female mosquitoes have to feed on an animal before they can produce eggs, with some dying before laying viable eggs.
In addition,some species live near their breeding place while others fly as far as 100 miles from their breeding spot. Male mosquitoes live a shorter life than female mosquitoes.
About the Author:
Owen Jones publishes articles on various subjects, but is currently involved with Hand Held Insect Killer devices and stationary units at Electronic Insect Killers.
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