How long does a mosquito live
The mosquito is one of the most well-known and frequent insects in our environment. In fact, it is one of the animals that has the most contact with humans, and it is almost impossible to find someone who has not been bitten by a tiger mosquito or any other mosquito bite. One of the most talked about lately due to its expansion to other countries where it was not present before is the tiger mosquito. These insects are capable of transmitting diseases such as malaria, dengue fever or yellow fever and their presence varies depending on the area in which we are. Mosquitoes have a life cycle that is divided into four development phases: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. If you have ever wondered how long a mosquito lives, in this article we will answer you.
The mosquitos
Insects form the most varied group of organisms of all the ecosystems on the planet, with the exception of the sea. Its extensive presence is due to its rapid colonization of different habitats, its ability to adapt, and its short life cycle. Currently, about 2 million species of insects are known and it is estimated that there are about 10 million.
Mosquitoes, also known as mosquitoes, have 2,500 species in the world and are disease transmitters because the females need the protein found in the blood to be able to lay their eggs.
What is the life cycle of a mosquito?
Mosquitoes have a short life that is usually between 10 and 30 days. The life expectancy of these insects depends on other factors such as humidity, food, sex, time of year, and the species. In general, female mosquitoes have a longer life than male mosquitoes, since their life cycle is longer when they have to lay eggs.
The female mosquito lays her eggs one by one or in groups of 50 to 200, whose clusters are known as navicular because of their resemblance to small ships. This form grants them the ability to float on water. Other species lay their eggs in the soil, remaining inactive until the soil is flooded.
The larva
The eggs hatch in the past 24-48 hours after the female mosquito deposits them. The larva is always aquatic and completes its evolution increasing from 1mm to 12mm, although it varies according to the species. Likewise, the duration of this phase varies depending on the temperature. The larvae can move when contracting and feeding by filtering organic matter, such as algae.
The pupa
At the end of the larval phase, the mosquito begins the transformation that allows it to go from water to air, thanks to the development of its system. This stage lasts between 2 and 3 days and does not require feeding. Mosquito pupae remain on the surface of the water and can submerge by contraction.
Adult mosquito
It is the mosquito as we know it. In its adult phase, it leaves the water and has the ability to fly. Both males and females feed on the nectar of flowers, and contrary to what many people may think, they do not ingest blood to feed themselves. The female mosquito is the only one that ingests blood and does so to obtain a protein necessary for the maturation of the eggs.
Before the hibernation period, the females feed on all the nectar possible to be able to feed during the duration of this process. During the hibernation period, the female takes refuge in protected places, while the males die.
How long does a mosquito live
Taking into account the life cycle of the mosquito with its four phases, an adult mosquito can live from a few days to a month or so. The shortest period is when the mosquito is a larva, while the longest is its adulthood. Throughout their life cycle, they need water and their longevity depends on several factors :
Sex: The female mosquito has a longer lifespan since her life cycle includes egg-laying and surviving hibernation.
Species: Although mosquitoes have an approximate life expectancy, there are many species and their longevity can vary.
Food: The mosquito needs to feed on nectar or fruit, so a deficit of these can shorten the life of the mosquito.
Time of the year: Mosquitoes frequent humid areas, so those times of the year with less humidity can affect their life expectancy.
Humidity: Mosquitoes are disease carriers, and it is possible that their presence can make us uncomfortable, especially if we have a garden where we like to enjoy dining or simply sunbathing. Therefore, the presence of these insects can become a nightmare.
