adminMosquito larva is the second stage in the development of a mosquito after the egg. Mosquitoes go through four stages before they can be completely metamorphosed into adults. These stages are the egg, the larva, the pupa and the adult stages and they last for a total duration of about four weeks. This detailed article will display Mosquito larvae facts unravelled. 
EGGS: These are usually laid by female mosquitoes in stagnant water bodies (shallow or deep) and the way they are laid have a great lot to do with the species of mosquito involved. These eggs are either laid singly, beside each other or one on top the other to create rafts. These rafts float on top of the water body and often contain up to 300 eggs.
LARVAE: It takes about one week for the eggs to hatch into larvae (also known as wigglers) that can live up to two weeks depending on the temperature of the water body. The larva is a small worm that is about 0.63 centimeters long and possesses hair – like features. Its head is round and hard and supported on a soft body; an abdomen of ten segments; and a tube that acts as a siphon at the end of its abdomen.
Mosquito larvae stay near the water surface by hanging face down to enable them breathe by stretching their siphon tubes out of the water in a similar way as the snorkel.
These larvae have a constant nutritional need because of their energy requirement for growth. They employ brushes that resemble fans to filter food into their mouths. They feed on plankton, fungi, algae and a number of other microorganisms present in the body of water. They are also able to feed on the larvae of some other species of mosquitoes. After four different molts, the mosquito larva increases in size and usually gets up to 1.26 centimeters in length.
PUPA: After the fourth molt of a mosquito larva, it metamorphosis into a pupa or tumbler and remains afloat on the water surface. They respond to changes in light intensity by diving and swimming in and out of the water in a form of tumbling action. During this stage, the mosquito does not molt neither does it feed. They breathe and survive in their cases (known as cocoon). Depending on the temperature of the water and the species of mosquito involved, the pupa lives for about three days before metamorphosing into an adult mosquito.
ADULT: The adult mosquitos usually stay on the surface of water to dry and harden its body as well as its wings after forming from a pupa. It then flies off after its body and wings solidify and may live for about some weeks.
The short duration of the life cycle of the mosquito cannot be compared to the amount of pain and distress it causes within its lifespan. It is also worthy of note that the mosquito plays vital role in spreading a good number of diseases and infections to human beings.
