Which mosquito species can lay eggs without a blood meal by utilizing protein from the larval stage?

The correct answer is based on the reproductive strategies of various mosquito species, particularly focusing on their dependency on blood meals for egg development. The species Ae. taeniorhynchus is notable for its ability to utilize protein from the larval stage to develop its eggs, which allows it to lay eggs without prior blood feeding. This is a significant biological adaptation that grants it flexibility in environments where blood sources might be scarce.

In contrast, other mosquito species like Culex pipiens, Aedes triseriatus, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus typically rely on blood meals for protein to develop their eggs. Their lifecycle and reproductive habits are more dependent on finding hosts for blood-feeding, which means they do not possess the same capability as Ae. taeniorhynchus to bypass this requirement by leveraging resources available during their larval development.

Understanding these reproductive strategies is crucial in public health contexts, as it influences the control measures and breeding patterns of different mosquito species, which can have a direct impact on disease transmission dynamics.