Life Cycle of Culex Species Mosquitoes
Life stages of Culex pipiens, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and Cx. tarsalis
It takes about 7-10 days for an egg to develop into an adult mosquito.
Eggs
Eggs stick together to form a raft.
- Adult, female mosquitoes lay eggs on the surface of fresh or stagnant water. Water sources can include barrels, horse troughs, ornamental ponds, unmaintained swimming pools, puddles, creeks, ditches, and marshy areas.
- A female Culex mosquito lays eggs one at a time. Eggs stick together to form a raft of 100 to 300 eggs. The raft floats on the water.
Larva
Larvae in the water
- Larvae hatch from mosquito eggs and live in water.
- Larvae can be seen in the water. They are very active and are often called “wigglers.”
- They feed on a variety of things found in the water.
- Larvae shed their skin (molt) several times during this stage.
Pupa
- Pupae live in water. Pupae do not have external mouthparts and do not feed during this stage.
- An adult mosquito emerges from a pupa and flies away.
Adult
Female mosquito after a blood meal.
- Adult female mosquitoes bite people and animals. Mosquitoes need blood to produce eggs.
- After blood feeding, female mosquitoes look for water sources to lay eggs. Several days pass between feeding and looking for a place to lay eggs.
- Culex mosquitoes don’t fly long distances but have been known to fly up to 2 miles (3.2 km).
- Some Culex mosquitoes prefer to live near and bite birds. They bite people when other animals are not nearby.
- Because Culex bite animals and people, they live outdoors or near homes.
Related Resources
Mosquito Life Cycle: Culex species mosquitoes
Page last reviewed: July 12, 2022