Introduction
In this experiment, we will observe the life cycle of a mosquito.
Aim
To read the life cycle of mosquitoes.
Materials Required
1. A chart that shows the life cycle of a mosquito.
2. Permanent slides of mosquito eggs,
4. Pupa,
5. Larve.
Theory
Mosquitoes undergo a life cycle that starts from laying eggs to several stages in becoming an adult. These several stages include eggs, larva, pupa, and adult. They need water to breed. Females need water to lay their eggs on, the life cycle of larva and pupa entirely depends on water. When they become adults they leave the water and start flying. The life cycle of mosquitoes may vary from one week. They all show the same life cycle.
Procedure
Step 1: Look at the chart of the life cycle of mosquitoes carefully.
Step 2: Note each stage of it.
Step 3: Draw the well-labelled diagram of the mosquito’s life cycle.
Step 4: Next, observe the mosquito’s larva, pupa, and eggs under the microscope.
Step 5: Write down all the characteristics of each stage in your notebook.
Step 6: Draw its well-labelled diagram.
Observations
| EGG | LARVA | PUPA | ADULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The female mosquito lays eggs on the surface of the water like ponds, lakes, drains, marshy swamps, tree holes, gutters, ditches, and open containers of water. 2. They lay 20 to 400 eggs at one time. 3. Female sticks with the laid eggs to create a floating raft by pushing the eggs with their hind legs. 4. When the water is disturbed, it does not affect the eggs because of trapped air between them which keeps the raft buoyant. 5. After one or two days, the larvae came out from the eggs. | 1. Larva floats on the surface of the water. 2. Larvae have distinct heads, abdomen, and thorax. 3. Two antennas and a pair of compound eyes are present on the head of the larva. 4. They do not have legs that can do a flicking-wriggling movement in the water. 5. There is a breathing tube in the eighth segment of the abdomen, which carries air from the atmosphere to the body. 6. Long bristles are present on the body of the larva. 7. Bristles which are present on the last abdominal segment of the larva, help them in swimming. 8. They grow up to 1cm long and filter some organic material through their mouth. 9. They shed their skin various times, which is called moulting. | 1. When the larva sheds its fourth skin, it becomes the pupa. 2. Their shape resembles a comma. 3. They can swim by flicking their abdomen. 4. Head and thorax are joined to form a cephalothorax. 5. The breathing process is done through a pair of breathing tubes. 6. They do not feed at this stage. 7. At the end of this stage, they cover themselves with a pupal cover and transform into adult mosquitoes. | 1. They emerged from the pupa. 2. They rest for a few days after their emergence. Meanwhile, their cuticles get hardened for flying. 3. Body is divided into the head, abdomen, and thorax. 4. They have only one pair of wings. 5. Antennae resemble thread in female mosquitoes while in male mosquitoes many filaments are present on antennae which give them a busy look. 6. Proboscis have an elongated tube-like structure which helps them in sucking fluid. 7. Females can pierce the skin while men can only suck plants such as the flower’s nectar. 8. They can live up to several weeks. |
Result
Through this experiment, we have studied the life cycle of a mosquito.
Viva Questions with Answers
Q.1 What was the aim of our experiment?
ANS. To read the life cycle of mosquitoes.
Q. 2 What do you mean by Moulting?
ANS. Mosquitoes shed their skin at various times, which is called Moulting.
Q.3 What do you mean by the term metamorphosis?
ANS. The transformation of insects from the very first stage, from egg to the last stage, adultery, is known as metamorphosis.
Q.4 What kind of metamorphosis took place in a mosquito?
ANS. Complete metamorphosis.
Q.5 What do you think about complete metamorphosis?
ANS. Each stage is different from the previous one in this kind of metamorphosis.
Q.6 Give the name of some organism in which metamorphosis takes place.
ANS. Frog, mosquito, ladybug, and butterfly.
Q.7 Name the various stages of the life cycle of mosquitoes.
ANS. Egg, larva, pupa, adult.
Q.8 After how many days do larvae come out of the eggs?
ANS. One or two days.
Q.9 After how much skin sheds, does the larva come out from the egg?
ANS. Fourth.
Q.10 What is the shape of a pupa?
ANS. Pupa shaped.
Saquib Siddiqui is a Mechanical Engineer and a content creator. He has special interest in science experiments and teaches the same to school and college students. He is also a technical lead at RUDE LABS PVT. LTD.
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