Mosquitoes: Life Cycle, Common Types & Treatment

Life Cycle of Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes belong to the family of nematocerid flies and undergo a four-stage life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The first three stages occur in water, making stagnant water sources a primary breeding ground. Once they reach adulthood, mosquitoes become airborne, seeking hosts for blood meals to reproduce.

Common Types of Mosquitoes & Associated Diseases

In the Bay Area, four primary groups of mosquitoes are commonly found, each known to transmit different diseases:

• Aedes Mosquitoes – These mosquitoes are known carriers of Dengue, Zika Virus, and Chikungunya. They breed in small water collections, such as containers, tires, and flower pots, and are active during the day.
• Anopheles Mosquitoes – The primary vector of Malaria, they breed in clean, stagnant water and are most active during dusk and dawn.
• Culex Mosquitoes – These mosquitoes are responsible for spreading West Nile Virus and Japanese Encephalitis. They typically breed in polluted water and prefer to bite during nighttime.
• Culiseta Mosquitoes – Less commonly associated with human diseases, but some species may transmit Western Equine Encephalitis. They primarily breed in marshy areas and prefer feeding on birds and large mammals.