At the latest when the temperatures in June exceed the 20°C mark, mosquitoes seem to crawl out of their holes. Suddenly the bloodsuckers are buzzing everywhere and nobody is safe from their stings. The plague begins much earlier. On this page, learn facts about the lifespan of mosquitoes that you probably didn't know.
Only female mosquitoes survive the winter
How long do mosquitoes live?
Many people assume that mosquito life is limited to the summer months. In fact, the opposite is the case. Males only live ten days during this period. Females stay as adults for just six weeks. Their lifespan in winter, on the other hand, extends over a much longer period of time. However, this only applies to the females. Here, too, the males die when the first frost approaches.
life cycle
In its life, a mosquito goes through the following stages:
- egg
- larva
- puppet
- imago
egg
Mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs in calm waters. In some species, this development phase serves as a kind of hibernation.
larva
The larval stage is divided into four different phases. Even in this form, the young animals still live in the water. Since they are already dependent on oxygen at this time, they build an air tube to the water surface. How long a mosquito is in the larval stage depends not only on the species but also on the water temperature and its nutrient content.
puppet
This is the shortest stage of development, lasting only a few days. During the pupa period, the mosquitoes breathe but do not eat. Most of the time, the insects remain motionless on the water surface. In case of danger, however, they are quite capable of diving.
imago
The last stage in a mosquito's life is spent as a flying insect. The service life amounts to the times mentioned above.
Do mosquitoes hibernate?
Mosquitoes move in in winter
- garages
- shed
- cellars
- Apartments
- or cattle stalls
back after laying their eggs. However, only the female animals survive the winter. In cool temperatures, they hibernate. In warm rooms, however, they are also active in the cold season and suck blood.
The following spring, the life of a new generation begins.