How many life stages do mosquitoes undergo during their life cycle?

Mosquitoes undergo four distinct life stages during their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. This completion of four stages is critical for their development and reproduction.

The life cycle begins when an adult female mosquito lays eggs, usually in or near water sources. Once the eggs hatch, they enter the larval stage, where they are aquatic and primarily feed on organic matter and microorganisms in the water. After several molts, larvae then transition into the pupal stage, a more dormant phase where they undergo significant internal changes to become adults. Finally, the adult mosquito emerges from the pupa, ready to continue the cycle by mating and laying eggs.

Understanding these four stages is essential in public health efforts, especially in controlling mosquito populations that can spread diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, and dengue fever. Effective mosquito control strategies often target these specific life stages to disrupt their development and reproduction.