| Mosquito
Larva and Pupa
Often called “wrigglers,” they twist
and squirm just below the water surface. The larva (plural
is larvae) is the “baby” form, while the
pupa (plural is pupae) is the “teenage”
form, just before transforming into a mosquito.
What they look like:
The larvae look like hairy maggots with siphons. The
pupae are enclosed in a cocoon that covers half their
body.
Size:
Up to 8 mm long.
Where they live:
They prefer stagnant waters. They hang upside down,
suspended by the surface tension of the water and they
suck oxygen from the air through snorkels in their tail.
What they eat:
Many feed on small organic particles in the water, such
as microscopic organisms and detritus (det-try-tuss),
but a few species are predators.
Pollution
tolerance. Very tolerant, rating 1.
Mosquito larvae can tolerate organic pollution (like
excessive grass clippings or leaf litter) as they
feed on the organic particles. They can tolerate
low levels of dissolved oxygen, as they often come
to the surface to breathe. |
What’s interesting about
Mosquito Larva and Pupa?
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