What does Mosquito Larvae look like in Water?

What does mosquito larvae look like in water

Mosquito larvae looks like wriggling worm-like tiny creatures, nearly brown to black in color. It has a distinct head with an elongated and segmented body. They normally remain suspended at the surface of water or just below the surface as they needs oxygen to breathe. To get oxygen they come to the water surface pointing their siphon (tail end) exposed to the air, and breathe through siphon tube.

These are mostly huge in number as mosquito can lay up to 300 eggs in a batch. They have a side-to-side motion, and whenever there is movement in water they jerk themselves in a reflex action, and goes downward below the water surface.

Can anyone tell me what this is? My guess is mosquito larvae.
byu/LocoDucko inmicroscopy

Physical appearance of mosquito larvae

The mosquito larvae has 4 distinct body parts – head, thorax, abdomen, and siphon.

1. Head

The head is wider than the rest of the body. It has a pair of antennae protruding outwards along with a mouth that it uses to feed on organic debris and micro organisms in water. The head is darker in color and round in shape, as compared to the rest of the body.

2. Thorax

The thorax is just below the head is a more bulkier single segment, somewhat round in shape and bit larger than the head. It comprises of the larva’s respiratory system, on the outer side it may have some bristles or hair like structures.

3. Abdomen

The abdomen is made up of segmented parts that tapers to the bottom i.e., the tail end near the siphon. there are around 8 segments in the abdomen region which is again covered on outside with some bristles or hairs.

4. Siphon

At the tail end of the larvae, there you will find the siphon, just attached to the end of the abdomen. the siphon consisting of a siphon tube allows the larvae to breathe air like a snorkel. They stand in an upright position at the water surface with their siphon pointing up and head pointing downwards. The siphon is short and thick which has anal segment with anal gills attached to it. It is also covered with brush like structures and hairs.

Color, size and shape of mosquito Larvae

The color, size and shape of mosquito larvae can be described as follows:

1. Color

The color of the mosquito larvae may vary from very translucent to brown or even black. The dark color larvae may be difficult to spot in dirty water or where there is plenty of organic debris and mud in it. Also, there are certain species which are nearly transparent that makes them difficult to spot in water.

2. Size and shape

The size of the mosquito larvae can vary between 5 to 12 mm, depending on their individual species and the stage of their development. The have an elongated, segmented body which tapers to the end. They are thin like worms and have a very different swimming motion of their own, because of they are also called as “wrigglers”.

How to identify mosquito larvae in Pond or Pool

These are tiny worm like creatures which are hanging upside down at or near the water surface. When water is disturbed or agitated, the motion causes these larvae to wriggle and this makes them easier to identify. These are quiet larger in number and will grow into pupa that will further grew into adult mosquito.

Therefore, it is necessary to identify mosquito larvae in pool or pond to control their population, before the emergence of adult mosquitoes.

These mosquito larvae can develop anywhere either a pond or pool or even small standing water sources like, rain barrels, birdbaths, plant pots, discarded tires, toilet bowls, etc. Remember, they prefer still water only, any motion or agitation in water, will disturb their breathing and feeding patterns and so they will not survive.

Their survival also indicates the presence of either organic debris or matter on which they feed. This can be dead insects, dried leaves, algae, bacteria, food particles or faecal waste, or any microbial contamination.

Growth and Development of mosquito larvae

Although the growth of mosquito takes place in 4 stages – egg, larva, pupa, and adult. But the mosquito larvae itself undergoes different processes and transformation, at the larval stage as given below:

Development stages of mosquito larvae

The mosquito larvae undergoes aquatic stage of development at the larval stage as follows:

1. Developing through Instars (Molting process)

The larvae undergoes 4 stages of development which are called as instars. During each instar stage, the larvae breaks the outer covering called exoskeleton and grow bigger forming a new exoskeleton. These process is also called as molting where the larvae sheds its old outer layer and forms a new one, after every molting process.

Through these four stages of instars, the larvae grows bigger and bigger. Their appearance may develop to some extent, but their overall shape and structure remains the same as it was from the beginning.

2. Transforming into a Pupa

After the fourth molting process i.e., the final instars stage, the larvae transforms into a pupa. This pupa has a more curved like appearance and remains attached to the surface of the water. This pupa than finally develops and emerge into an adult mosquito and flies away from water.

Are mosquito larvae harmful to humans

No, those do not directly inflict damage to human beings since they are at the stage where they neither bite nor cause any diseases. However, their presence is of a great concern as this is only a phase and soon they will develop into adult mosquitoes which would pose more risk in future.

Also, it is a known fact that mosquito population control efforts are more effective when made against this stage. For instance, mosquito dunks or any natural home remedies for killing mosquito larvae will do the job of exterminating mosquito larvae in any standing water quite easily.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)