Mosquito
Life Cycle Four stages. Seven to ten days. Knowing the cycle is how you break it.
All mosquitoes pass through egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The first three stages depend entirely on water — which is exactly where the cycle can be stopped.
The first three stages need water to survive. Removing standing water and scrubbing containers weekly stops mosquitoes before they ever fly.
The four stages
After a blood meal, the female searches for still water to lay 100–400 eggs at a time. Eggs are barely visible — about 1mm — and hatch within days when conditions are right.
Empty and scrub containers weekly. Scrubbing removes eggs stuck to the sides — rinsing alone is not enough. No water, no eggs.
Larvae live entirely in water, feeding on microscopic algae and bacteria. They grow through four sub-stages, getting larger each time, before transforming into pupae.
Larvae are visible and easy to target. Removing water immediately kills all developing mosquitoes. Biological larvicides can treat water that cannot be removed.
The pupa is the transformation stage — the larva's body completely reorganises to form wings, legs, eyes, and all adult features. This is the last chance to intervene before adulthood.
Pupae still need water to survive. Removing water at this final aquatic stage prevents adult mosquitoes from emerging — even at the last moment.
The adult emerges from the pupa and rests on the water surface while its wings dry. Only females bite — they need blood proteins to develop eggs and restart the cycle.
Use long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), DEET-based repellents, and window screens. Wear long sleeves and trousers during peak biting hours — dusk and dawn.
Key points to remember
Egg, larva, and pupa cannot survive without standing water. Removing water breaks the cycle before a single adult mosquito emerges.
In warm tropical conditions the full cycle takes just 7–10 days. A single container of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes each week.
Aedes eggs stick firmly to container walls and survive drying for months. Containers must be scrubbed — not just rinsed — to destroy eggs before they hatch.
Only female mosquitoes bite and transmit disease — they need blood to develop their eggs. Males feed only on plant nectar and live for about one week.
Continue learning
How to break the mosquito cycle and protect your community — practical field-tested methods.
What adult mosquitoes transmit, and what symptoms to watch for in your community.
Identify the key disease vectors in your area — markings, habitats, and biting behaviour.