Mosquitoes are annoying insects which have the potential to carry diseases such as Dengue Fever, Ross River Virus, Barmah Forest Virus and Encephalitis.

There are more than 25 common species of mosquitoes in North Queensland, with many capable of transmitting disease. Mosquitoes need water and a small amount of nutrients to breed. During hot conditions, eggs can develop to mature adults within a week.

Lifecycle

Mosquitoes have the ability to breed in any type of water, including salt marsh, freshwater swamps and polluted water. Some species can breed in drains, artificial containers and certain plants.

The mosquito life cycle begins with an adult female laying eggs. Larvae emerge from the eggs and develop through four larval stages, slowly increasing in size until the final non-feeding stage called 'pupae'. Following emergence, the adult mosquito feeds and mates. Only the female bites, requiring a blood feed for egg development. Males do not bite but feed on nectar from plants.

The mosquito lifecycle depends on climatic conditions, particularly temperature and humidity. It can take as little as seven days for a mosquito to reach the adult form following hatching, and it will have a life span of around one to four weeks.

Life cycle stages of Anophelesmosquito	Various mosquito larvae	Aedes aegypti adult mosquito	Aedes notoscriptus adult mosquito

For more information, please phone 1300 878 001 or contact Environmental Health Services.