Order Diptera, Family Culicidae

Who has not heard the whine of the mosquito and felt its stinging bite? These small long-legged insects are found the world over. The female mosquito has piercing-sucking mouth parts that we are all familiar with! The males may have a long nose, but they do not bite.

What do mosquitos look like?

Mosquitoes are small insects, usually with some scales on their legs and bodies. They have narrow wings that are folded across their back with they are resting. Their long antennas have whorls of hair making them look bushy.

Mosquito larvae have segmented bodies, are worm-like and look much like a long skinny grub with feathery “feelers”. Larva have a breathing tube on their hind ends and can often be seen bobbing on the surface.

Mostquito pupa have a large “head” and a segmented body.

Where do mosquitoes live?

Mosquitoes are common and very widespread – found almost everywhere in the world. There are more than 2500 species known, and 46 in British Columbia.

Mosquito larvae can live in almost any standing water – a pond, a puddle, or even a bucket in your back yard. They are most common near ponds and lakes and can be found in large numbers in the spring and summer. Often there are several “hatches” of mosquito eggs each year.

What is the life cycle of the mosquito?

Mosquitos have a four stage life cycle (egg – larva – pupa – adult). All but the adults need water to survive.

Click here to see the life cycle of a mosquito

Some female mosquito lay eggs on or above the water in standing water (not creeks or rivers). These eggs hatch in one to three days. Other mosquito mothers lay their eggs in areas that are likely to be flooded in the spring. These eggs will remain dormant (resting) over winter. In the spring when it gets warmer, snowmelt and rainfall flood these areas. The larvae hatch and develop in the temporary water bodies.

The larvae must have water to survive. They float at the surface breathing through an air tube and filtering food material through their mouth brushes. When disturbed, they dive towards the bottom with a jerking motion. The larval stage lasts from five days to several weeks depending on the species and conditions such as water temperature.

The larvae transform into pupae and although they don't feed, they are active and can be seen breathing at the surface or bobbing through the water. Inside the pupal skin, the adult mosquito is developing and will emerge in two to three days. Mosquitoes pass the winter either in the egg stage or as adults.

Mosquitos are mostly vegetarians. Larva eat bacteria and algae in the water, and both male and female mosquites feed on flower nectar. It is only the adult female that bites – she needs blood as a source of protein so that her eggs can develop.

Food for thought . . . How do mosquitoes always seem to find you? You go out play, and then you hear it . . . that annoying buzzing. It gets closer and closer, but where did it come from? You could try holding your breath; female mosquitoes seem to be attracted to carbon dioxide, a gas that you exhale. But they would still find you. From a distance, they follow carbon dioxide and as they approach, they sense heat from your body. Once they can see you, it's all over . . . run or become the victim of yet another hungry vampire!

Food for thought . . . Most mosquitoes feed just after dark and again just before daylight. Why do you think that is?