How much longer will this mosquito outbreak last? How long is their life cycle? Those are questions we, at the Extension Office, are being asked at least 15 to 20 times each day. There is no way to predict the exact date and time that the Kingsville area will be mosquito free. When discussing the life cycle of the pest, much depends on temperature and water availability. Simply put, a couple of hot and dry days will go a long way in shorting the life cycle and eliminating populations.

A mosquito’s life cycle starts and finishes with the adult. The male mosquito’s job is to fertilize females so that they can reproduce. Unfortunately for the males, they die shortly after completing their fertilization responsibilities. Females must consume a blood meal in order to produce eggs but once fed they are extremely prolific. Females can lay thousands of eggs during the course of their short life. Eggs can be laid on the surface of water, or areas that may one day be immersed in water. Once eggs have water, it takes approximately 2 to 3 days for them to develop and hatch into larvae.

Following last year’s drought conditions, it is hard to believe that there can be a mosquito outbreak in South Texas. However, some species’ eggs have the ability to remain dormant for several months until there is the water needed for them to complete their life cycle. How the female knows that an area will eventually be covered with water, enabling the eggs to hatch and the larvae to develop, is truly one of nature’s mysteries.

The larval stage takes approximately 5 days. The larvae, sometimes called wrigglers, can be seen resting at the water’s surface or wiggling downward to forage for food.

The last immature stage is the pupal stage. Pupae do not eat, they float at the top of the water, breathing through a tiny tube. The pupal stage lasts about 1 week. After the 7 day period the adult mosquito emerges from the pupal shell. The newly emerged adult mosquito will remain on the water’s surface for a short time allowing it’s wings to dry. Once the drying process is complete the adult will fly off to eat, mate, and start the process again.