Commonly referred to as “wigglers” or “wrigglers” as a result of how they move around. During the process of development, mosquito larva sheds its skin 4 times (called instars). At the 4th stage, or instar, the larva measures approximately 10-15mm in length. After this stage it becomes a ‘pupa’.

Found throughout India.

Females of most mosquito species look for pools of stagnant water, ponds or any receptacle that holds water to lay eggs. Eggs are laid individually or stuck together as rafts on or near the water’s edge. Larvae need oxygen from the atmosphere and therefore they come to the surface of water and exchange oxygen through the siphon or breathing tube.

Size of the breathing tube of different mosquito species is different. This creates variation in the angle between the body and water surface making it a useful tool for identification of different larvae like, Cluex, Anopheles and Aedes species.