Habits
Some species of mosquitoes are active during the day and rest at night. Most species of Culex and Anopheles are active at night and rest by day. Culex rests with its body parallel to the supporting surface. Anopheles rests with the head down, and the body at an angle to the support. The high-pitched buzzing sound associated with mosquitoes is made only by the females—by vibrating the tiny appendages that cover the spiracles (breathing holes) in the thorax.
Life Cycle. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, or where water will eventually cover the eggs. In arctic regions, eggs are laid in snow, and hatch when the snow melts. The eggs of some species are laid singly. Other mosquitoes, including Culex, lay eggs in flat groups of 100 to 300 that float on the surface of water.
The eggs hatch as larvae, usually in a few days. The larvae are commonly called “wrigglers” or “wigglers” because of the way they move in seeking food and in rising to the surface to breathe. After a few more days, the larvae develop into pupae. Each pupa has an extremely large head and thorax. Its way of moving has gained it the popular name of “tumbler.” Pupae do not eat. When the pupa is full grown, usually in two or three days, it rises to the surface and splits its skin from end to end and sheds it. The insect stands balanced on its shed skin until its wings dry, and then it flies away. It takes about 10 days for the egg to develop into a mature adult mosquito.
Feeding. The male mosquito is harmless. It uses its proboscis for sucking only, and feeds on plant juices and pollen. It helps pollinate several species of flowers. The proboscis of the female is adapted for piercing as well as sucking, and can penetrate the skin of reptiles, birds, and mammals, including humans. Females require a certain protein found in the blood of these animals to nourish their eggs before they are laid. The proboscis contains saw-tipped cutters and two tubes. One of the tubes is used to inject saliva after the cutters have pierced the skin, and the other is used to suck up blood. The saliva thins the blood and makes it easier for the mosquito to suck.
