Mosquitoes (Order Dipterans, Family Culicid) are among the most adaptable and successful insects on the earth and are found in exceptional locations. We are well known for the fact that almost any natural or man-made water bodies can enhance their production. They are infamous for their itchy bites and their ability to spread diseases. We try to kill or smash them whenever we see them because they have an image of harmful creatures in our minds. But have we ever thought about how long do Mosquito live so they can stay on earth? So to answer this question let’s have a look at the life cycle of a How long do Mosquito live 

Life Span of How long do Mosquito live

The life span of mosquitoes is determined by their gender, whether it’s male or female. The mosquito life cycle for a female mosquito lasts anywhere from 42 to 56 days. For the male mosquito, it lasts over 10 days.

The Mosquito Life Cycle

Different mosquito species can be found in several habitats, even though they all require standing water to reproduce. Some species of mosquito are considered “floodwater” species that breed in temporary aquatic habitats, on the other hand, others are considered “permanent aquatic” species that breed in water sources that remain for long periods.

Regardless of their preferred breeding habitat, all mosquitoes go through the same four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult, with the larval and pupil stages always being aquatic.How long do Mosquito live

The Egg Stage

Depending on their species female mosquitoes lay their eggs individually or in groups called rafts. Eggs are laid directly on the surface of standing water, along its edges, in tree hollows, or in other areas that are susceptible to inundation from rain, irrigation, or flooding. In some species eggs are being hatched within a few days after being laid, the exact time depending upon temperature. But if the eggs are laid out of water and constantly flooded, the embryos can remain dormant for several years until the ideal conditions are met to hatch, but some species also overwinter as larvae and adults

The larval Stage

 After the eggs hatch, the larvae emerge by swimming in stagnant water. They are sometimes eaten by fish (depending on the water source), but if they survive, the mosquito larvae float near the water surface, and from there the larvae molt and develop. The larvae of most of the species hang out on the surface of the water because they need air to breathe. An air tube from the rear of the larvae extends to the water surface and acts as a breathing tube

.How long do Mosquito live The larvae feed by filtering aquatic microorganisms near the water’s surface. As a defense mechanism, when alarmed, the larvae may dive deeper into the water by swimming in characteristic “S” motion; therefore they are often called by their nickname “wrigglers”.  As they feed, the larvae outgrow their outer shell and form a new exoskeleton, shedding off the previous one. The stages between these molts are called instars. The length of the larval stage varies from 4 to 14 days, depending on the species, water temperature, and food availability.

The Pupil Stage

In the pupil stage, the larvae don’t feed but still breathe at the water surface and are sensitive to light, darkness, and other disturbances like temperature changes. Pupae are also active physically and use rolling and tumbling positions to escape to deeper water, that’s why they are also called “tumblers“. The pupal stage lasts from 1 ½ to 4 days. After which the pupil’s skin splits along the back allowing the newly formed adult to slowly emerge and rest on the surface of the water.

The Adult Stage

Adult males usually emerge first and linger near the breeding site to wait for the female mosquito to come. Mating occurs immediately after the emergence due to a high mortality rate. Up to 30% of the adult population dies every day. Females compensate for this high mortality rate by laying large numbers of eggs to ensure the survival of species. Males live an average of 6 to 7 days, feeding primarily on plant nectar but not on blood.

Well-nourished females can live for up to five months or more, with an average lifespan of about six weeks. To feed and develop their eggs, females feed on blood in addition to plant nectar. They locate their victims by using traces of carbon dioxide and other exhaled chemicals, as well as the temperature changes they made

Mosquitoes are sensitive to several chemicals, including carbon dioxide amino acids, and octanol. The average flight range of female mosquitoes is 1 to 16 kilometers, but some species can fly over 64 kilometers before taking a blood meal. After each blood meal, the female lays eggs, completing her biological cycle. Some species lay eggs once but some lay eggs multiple times throughout their lives.