A mosquito searching for food. Mosquitoes can live up to a couple of months.

What Is the Lifespan of a Mosquito?

Mosquitoes have a lifespan ranging from one to two months. Throughout this period, they reproduce frequently, keeping the population in constant rotation. After hatching, larvae transform into pupae and mature into adults in around 14 days. These adult mosquitoes then lay eggs, restarting the cycle. The mosquito population dies off when temperatures drop, they’re eaten by predators, or after their typical lifespan of one to two months.

Mosquito Life Cycle

Understanding the mosquito life cycle is key to managing infestations. The mosquito life cycle lasts approximately 14 days. Here’s a general overview of how the breeding process unfolds:

  1. Blood Meal: Female mosquitoes need a blood meal to reproduce. Once they’ve fed, they lay their eggs on or near stagnant water.
  2. Egg Hatching: The eggs hatch within 24 to 72 hours. The larvae, which emerge from the eggs, can be seen wriggling in the water, feeding on algae, protozoans, and other organic matter.
  3. Larval Development: After 7 to 10 days, the larvae transform into pupae. The pupae float at the water’s surface, adjusting to the air, without feeding.
  4. Adult Emergence: About three days after entering the pupal stage, adult mosquitoes emerge. Within a day, they are capable of breeding.
  5. Reproduction: Female mosquitoes can reproduce and lay eggs throughout much of their life.

How Long Do Mosquitoes Live?

Male mosquitoes live for one to two weeks, primarily feeding on plant nectar. Females, however, can live for more than a month. Mosquito eggs may survive for months before hatching. While mosquitoes have a short life span, their quick reproduction ensures their populations remain stable during the summer months. This rapid reproduction cycle contributes to the persistence of mosquito problems throughout the season.

How Do Mosquitoes Die?

Many believe mosquitoes die after biting, but that’s not true. Female mosquitoes feed repeatedly during their lifetime, often seeking multiple blood meals to produce eggs. Generally, mosquitoes live for about one to two months. As cooler temperatures arrive in the fall, mosquito populations die off since they cannot function in temperatures below 50°F. Some females may hibernate, and unhatched eggs can endure the winter.

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