Life Cycle of a Culex Mosquito
A Culex mosquito, often called the common house mosquito, goes through four distinct phases of its life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The length of the life cycle typically runs from 10 to 14 days depending on environmental factors, such as temperature and water availability.
Egg
The Culex mosquito lays eggs one at a time on the surface of stagnant or fresh water, and then sticks 100 to 300 eggs together to form a "raft." Culex mosquito eggs typically hatch within two days.
Larva
Culex mosquito larvae live in the water but must surface periodically to breathe oxygen. The larval phase lasts from one to two weeks depending on the temperature of the water.
Pupa
A Culex pupa floats on top of the water for one to four days while it transforms into an adult mosquito. The pupal phase is a non-feeding, resting stage.
Adult
A newly emerged, adult Culex mosquito rests on top of the water until its body is dry and hardened. Female Culex mosquitoes that emerge late in the summer hibernate in a sheltered area until spring.
Considerations
All types of mosquitoes must have water to complete their life cycles. Culex mosquitoes prefer small bodies of still water full of organic matter, such as tin cans, bird baths or rain barrels.
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