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The Life Cycle of a Mosquito

Highlighting the mosquito life cycle, explaining each stage, from egg to adult, and how some species bite and spread disease

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Updated:

March 25, 2026

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Mosquito feeding on blood

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The life cycle of a mosquito: eggs, larva, pupa, and adult. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, public domain

Eggs hatch within a few days to months when covered with water.
Larvae live in water. They develop into pupae in as few as 5 days.
Pupae live in water. They develop into adult, flying mosquitoes in 2–3 days.
Adult female mosquitoes lay eggs in containers that hold water.

Mosquitoes Have Four Life Stages

Mosquitoes go through four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The eggs need water to hatch, and both larvae and pupae live underwater. As larvae grow, they shed their exoskeleton (like a shell) several times.

Blood-feeding mosquito, photo by Lauren Bishop, CDC, public domain — Blood-feeding mosquito. Photo by Lauren Bishop, CDC, public domain

Only Some Mosquitoes Bite

Many species need blood for their eggs to develop, and only females bite. Some mosquitoes do not need blood, but the ones that do can spread viruses and parasites when they bite multiple animals or people.

Male mosquito on a flower, photo by Lauren Bishop, CDC, public domain — Male mosquito on a flower. Photo by Lauren Bishop, CDC, public domain

Mosquito Life Stages

Eggs

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in different places depending on species, but always on or near water.

Larvae

Larvae live completely in water and are sometimes called “wrigglers” because of how they move. They eat bacteria and other tiny organisms found in the water.