Mosquito Biology
There are roughly 51 species of mosquito in Minnesota, varying dramatically in traits. They all have a complete life cycle- Egg, larvae, pupae, adult- this is called a complete metamorphosis. All mosquitoes lay eggs in or near water; The hatched larvae and pupae are aquatic, and the adult is terrestrial.
Egg placement will vary between species.
- Some mosquitoes will lay eggs right on top of the surface of the water, or an inch above so that rain can raise the water level and stimulate hatching.
- Treehole mosquitoes will lay eggs in any standing water, so tipping over and emptying such sources after rain is important.
Some mosquitoes, like the cattail mosquito (Coquillettidia perturbans), are cyclical and appear once a year due to the larvae going through diapause in the cooler months, then metamorphosing into adults in a synchronous emergence around Independence Day. This variety will drop off again quickly, within weeks.
Mosquitoes are an important part of our local ecosystem, providing food sources for many other species. Less than half of our mosquito species will prey on humans, while others feed on birds, livestock, and other animals. The male mosquito does not bite or drink blood, they feed solely on plant nectar, and they even act as pollinators for many native plants.
Female mosquitoes need a blood meal before laying her eggs. She may lay up to 200-300 eggs at a time. In order to find a food source, the female mosquito has a set of high-tech equipment to track down your chemical and infrared signals, and she also has good eye-sight.
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