Mosquitoes

Mosquito

Mosquitoes: Information & Life Cycle

In order for reproduction to occur, female mosquitoes must obtain a blood meal for protein. Most obtain the blood meal from birds, frogs, and other mammals in their habitat.  Male mosquitoes and females not producing eggs feed on nectar from plants.

Mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis; four distinct stages of development during a lifetime. The full lifecycle of a mosquito takes about a month and includes: Egg > Larva > Pupa > Adult

Life Cycle

Adult Mosquito Facts

  • Maximum flight distance is 1.5 miles per day, although some mosquitoes such as the Asian Tiger Mosquito tend to say within a quarter mile of where they emerged.
  • The average adult lifespan is about 1 to 2  weeks, however, mosquitoes are able to live up to a month in controlled settings.
  • Some Culex species overwinter as adults.  Other species over winter as larvae in permanent waters or as eggs laid on dry land, awaiting spring floods.
  • Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and have been found to orient by starlight. Other species are known as "day biters" and be quite aggressive.
  • Mosquitoes smell with their antennae and are attracted to carbon dioxide (our breath).
  • A female can lay over 250 eggs on a single egg "raft."
  • Bug zappers do not reduce the mosquito population.