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Aedes aegypti is a so-called holometabolous
insect. This means that the insects goes
through a complete metamorphosis with an
egg, larvae, pupae, and adult stage. The
adult life span can range from two weeks to a
month depending on environmental
conditions. The life cycle ofAedes aegypti can
be completed within one-and-a-half to three
weeks

Egg
After taking a blood meal, female Aedes aegypti mosquitos produce on average 100 to 200 eggs per batch. The females can produce
up to five batches of eggs during a lifetime. The number of eggs is dependent on the size of the bloodmeal. Eggs are laid on damp
surfaces in areas likely to temporarily flood, such as tree holes and man-made containers like barrels, drums, jars, pots, buckets,
flower vases, plant saucers, tanks, discarded bottles, tins, tyres, water cooler, etc. and a lot more places where rain-water collects or
is stored. The female Aedes aegypti lays her eggs separately unlike most species. Not all eggs are laid at once, but they can be spread
out over hours or days, depending on the availability of suitable substrates. Eggs will most often be placed at varying distances
above the water line. The female mosquito will not lay the entire clutch at a single site, but rather spread out the eggs over several
sites.
The eggs of Aedes aegypti are smooth, long, ovoid shaped, and roughly one millimeter long. When first laid, eggs appear white but
within minutes turn a shiny black. In warm climates eggs may develop in as little as two days, whereas in cooler temperate climates,
development can take up to a week. Laid eggs can survive for very long periods in a dry state, often for more than a year. However,
they hatch immediately once submerged in water. This makes the control of the dengue virus mosquito very difficult.

Larvae
• After hatching of the eggs, the larvae (see figure 2) feed on organic particulate matter in the water, such as algae
and other microscopic organisms. Most of the larval stage is spent at the water's surface, although they will swim to
the bottom of the container if disturbed or when feeding. Larvae are often found around the home in puddles, tires,
or within any object holding water. Larval development is temperature dependent. The larvae pass through four
instars, spending a short amount of time in the first three, and up to three days in the fourth instar. Fourth instar
larvae are approximately eight millimeters long. Males develop faster than females, so males generally pupate
earlier. If temperatures are cool, Aedes aegypti can remain in the larval stage for months so long as the water supply
is sufficient.
Pupae
• After the fourth instar, the larvae enters the pupal stage (figure 3). Mosquito pupae are mobile and respond to
stimuli. Pupae do not feed and take approximately two days to develop. Adults emerge by ingesting air to expand the
abdomen thus splitting open the pupal case and emerge head first.

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Aedes life cycle

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