Mosquitoes are considered common blood-sucking insects that are known for their annoying squeaks and painful bites. The creatures are active in the warm season - from late May to September.
A characteristic feature is the process of their reproduction, namely development. The mosquito larva emerges from an egg, which is laid by the female, followed by a pupa and then an adult.
But it’s still worth paying special attention to the larvae; they look like worms. They can often be found on the surface of the walls of an aquarium with fish. This form of mosquito is capable of moving and feeding independently.
mosquito larva
The larvae were encountered by all aquarists who breed ornamental fish. The creatures are used as live food for fish, they are also called bloodworms. They look like little worms.
The color of the larvae depends on the type of mosquito:
- Black or brown in the squeak mosquito;
- Malarial has a green color;
- The bell is red.
The larva of the common mosquito emerges from eggs laid in water. These are usually shallow-depth freshwater bodies of water, ditches, large puddles, rain pits or containers.
The size at birth is 1-2 mm, they gradually grow to 1-1.5 cm. They can develop normally even in the dark, at high temperatures.
What does it eat?
The mosquito larva feeds on organic, nutritious substances. They can eat what the body can process. They will be happy to consume microorganisms that live in water.
There is enough food in fresh water bodies. They contain a huge number of different microorganisms, organic substances, and vegetation. One individual can strain 1 liter of water per day.
Mosquito larvae feed on small particles of rotted vegetation that is present at the bottom. But there are also predatory species - Anopheles barberi. They feed on the larvae of other mosquito species.
The larvae are able to continuously pass water through their mouthparts. There is a special filtration system that allows you to capture useful components.
Benefits and harms of mosquito larvae
The development and activity of mosquito larvae are not only interesting and original, but also benefit fresh water bodies by filtering water. They are also nutritious food for fish and are used by humans for fishing. By their presence, you can determine the cleanliness of the reservoir, because when they become polluted, they die.
The only pests among them are the larvae of centipedes, which, due to their feeding preferences, harm agricultural crops by gnawing on soft, succulent roots and seedlings of agricultural crops.
Where and how does development occur?
The mosquito larva can remain in this state for several weeks. It is important for the insect because during it the formation of organs and body parts that are required for the normal existence of the pupa and adult occurs.
The following factors may influence life expectancy:
- Temperature indicators;
- Water composition;
- The presence of sufficient food;
- Illumination.
Development takes place in stagnant bodies of water. They must be warm with a temperature not lower than 10-120C. Under these conditions, growth occurs much faster.
During the stage, an individual mosquito can increase in size up to 10 times, its volume can increase up to 500 times. In order for this rapid process to proceed normally, nature has endowed insects with the ability to shed their exoskeleton.
As the body grows, it goes through four stages of molting. At each stage, it increases in size and turns into an individual with a complex system of internal organs. Next, a pupa is formed.
Video
Life cycle of mosquitoes. ANTIKOMAR.RF
Nutrition and lifespan
The larval stage of mosquitoes lasts 3-4 weeks, its duration depends on temperature and other environmental conditions. During these days, she manages to shed several times, shedding her exoskeleton and gradually increasing in size. The permissible temperature for the normal development of mosquito larvae is in the range of +10-+35°C, while the optimal temperature is +25-+30°C.
Interesting!
Along with the length, as the larva grows, its weight also increases: according to biologists, it increases 500 times in 20-30 days.
Their main food is small living creatures and microorganisms found in the reservoir: unicellular algae, decomposing plant organic matter. To obtain food, the larva filters 1 liter of water per day, which is quite a lot for such a small living creature.
The next stage of mosquito development, the formation of the pupa, occurs after the transformation of the larva itself and is a more complex creature.
What is the name of
Larva is the main name, but organisms also have other names. The word midge is often used in books; it is a common name.
Fishermen and ornamental fish breeders call mosquito larvae bloodworms. They use them for feeding. But they are still considered a type of larvae. They are also called bells, chironomids or longhorns.
There is another name - it is a squeak mosquito, which looks like a worm. A squad of insects is located closer to the bottom of a container or reservoir with standing water.
Bloodworms are still considered a type of larvae. Its body is bright red, this is due to the content of hemoglobin. It has good vitality and is able to survive in any natural conditions.
Lives at the bottom of a reservoir, builds a house from silt, which looks like a tube. It serves as a kind of shelter from various dangers; the bloodworm sticks out only the front part of it to search for food.
Mosquitoes that are used to feed ornamental fish are called corets. In malaria mosquitoes they are called anopheles.
Answers to crossword of the day No. 18480 from Odnoklassniki
18479 18481
| M | ABOUT | T | Y | L | b | L | P | ABOUT | TO | A | T | Y | Sh | |
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| U | P | R | I | AND | b | T | ABOUT | ABOUT | B | ABOUT | Y | M | A | |
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| L | YU | D | IN | AND | G | H | ABOUT | ABOUT | WITH | N | ABOUT | IN | A | |
| AND | A | TO | ABOUT | N | TO | U | R | E | N | T | N | T | ||
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| B | A | Z | A | L | b | T | WITH | I | G | ABOUT | D | N | AND | TO |
| T | N | F | A | TO | T | U | R | A | AND | G | ||||
| N | A | IN | E | WITH | M | U | ABOUT | F | L | ABOUT | R | A | ||
| R | N | N | A | D | P | AND | WITH | b | L | A | ||||
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Horizontal: Insect, mosquito larva - MOTH
Round pebble -
PELLET
Storerooms of the Earth -
BOWELS
Accessories for a horse on the track -
HARNESS
Pistol chamber -
CAMPING
Radio operator's ship's dwelling -
HOUSE
The name of Beethoven's composer -
LUDWIG
The unchangeable part of the word -
BASE
Business rival -
COMPETITOR
Rock for cladding -
BASALT
Raspberry picker -
BERRY
Surface to the touch -
TEXTURE
Roof on pillars -
CANOPY
Fauna's friend -
FLORA
Caption -
INSCRIPTION
Who wears pathetic rags -
BEGGAR
Bear
WINNIE
-the-Pooh Italian rogue -
CANALIA
Vertical: The man who lived with wolves and howled like a wolf - MOWGL
Long phrase -
TIRADE
Snowmobile -
SKIER
Industrial meeting on the run -
FLYER
Providing food -
FEEDING
Geometric artist -
CUBIST
American boxer-ear-eater -
TYSON
One leg here, the other there performed by a gymnast -
SPLIT
This game is played with a stick, but this is not hockey -
GOLF
The river flowing into the White Sea -
ONEGA
You are a gentleman, and I am not
a TATAR
(proverb) The presence of damage to the body -
WOUND
Family serenity -
IDYLL
A migrant to other lands -
MIGRANT
The name of the singer Sinyavskaya -
TAMARA
A small vessel in which something is pounded -
MORTAR
Furious Wrath -
RAGE
MOTH - A red bell mosquito larva that lives in the mud and serves as bait when catching fish with a fishing rod and as food for fish in the aquarium.
MOTYL - Connecting rod in mechanisms; crank.
MOTYL - outdated. Same as: moth.
NEDRA pl. 1. The depths of the earth, places under the earth's surface. 2. The inner part of something. // Internal space of the country, region, etc.
HARNESS - A set of objects and devices for harnessing horses or other live traction.
HARNESS - outdated. Coupling device for wagons.
CAMPING - 1. A metal frame for cartridges, used to load a firearm - a rifle, a pistol, an automatic gun - with several cartridges at the same time. 2. A bracket, hoop or other device that covers and fastens parts of structures, machines, etc.
CUTTING - 1. Process of action according to meaning. verb: to chop (1-), to chop.
ROOM - 1. Superstructure on the upper deck of the ship. 2. The room in the airship where the control devices are concentrated and where the commander is located. 3. Name of various types of special premises.
BASIS - 1. The main part of something. an object, serving as its support, foundation; skeleton 2. transfer The essence of something. // The most important, most essential component of something.
WART - 1. Longitudinal threads running parallel along the fabric.
BASE - 1. Part of a word before the end (in linguistics).
COMPETITOR - 1. One who competes with someone. 2. outdated Participant of the competition.
BASALT - Volcanic rock of fine-grained or dense structure, usually black or dark gray in color.
BERRY - 1. A place where berry plants grow or are bred. 2. Berry plant, berry bush. 3. outdated A food, jam or drink made from berries.
BERRY - colloquial. 1. Someone who picks or likes to pick berries. 2. The one who sells berries.
TEXTURE - 1. Features of the finishing or structure of a surface. material. 2. The originality of artistic technique in works of art.
INVOICE - 1. A forwarding description of the goods sent, including the price.
CANOPY - 1. A roof supported on poles or other supports for protection from the sun or bad weather. 2. Something that hangs above something.
FLORA - 1. Flora, all types of plants characteristic of a particular. area or something geological epoch. // Plant world as a whole. 2. Bacteria that constantly live in a certain place. organ
INSCRIPTION - 1. A short text placed on the outside of something. // What is written on something. 2. An ancient text in some language. solid material.
BEGGAR - colloquial 1. One who lives by alms. 2. Poor, needy person.
KANALYA - and - outdated. A cheat, a swindler, a scoundrel.
TIRADE - 1. A lengthy statement spoken in an elevated tone. 2. A complete passage in a poem or poem that is not divided into stanzas.
SKIER - 1. One who skis. 2. An athlete involved in skiing.
FLYING - colloquial. 1. A short meeting to resolve urgent matters. 2. Temporary mobile repair, medical, etc. point for providing necessary, urgent assistance. // Vehicle (car, train, etc.) in which such a point is located.
FLYING - colloquial. 1. A wing-like outgrowth or hair on the seeds and fruits of many plants, facilitating their dispersal by the wind.
FLAT - outdated. 1. Flying mail. // Paper sent by such mail. 2. An urgently published newspaper, leaflet, etc., dedicated to someone. event.
PROFORM - Action according to value. verb: to feed, to feed.
CUBIST - 1. Adherent of cubism. 2. Representative of Cubism.
TWINE - Twisted or spun thread used for wrapping, tying or stitching; twine.
SPLIT - A figure in gymnastics, acrobatics, figure skating, etc., during which the athlete, spreading his legs, forms one straight line with them.
GOLF - A sports game with a ball that is driven with a club along the paths of a marked field, trying to hit all the holes.
GOLF - see knee socks.
TATARIN - colloquial. Same as: Tatarnik.
TATAR - see Tatars.
WOUND Wed. 1. Process of action according to meaning. nesov. verb: to injure. 2. Wound.
IDYLL - A poetic work depicting an idealized serene life in the lap of nature, as a genre variety of bucolic.
IDYLL - A serene, happy existence.
MIGRANT - see migrants.
MORTAR - collapsible 1. Decrease to the noun: stupa. 2. Affectionate. to the noun: stupa.
RAGE - 1. Strong anger, bitterness. 2. transfer Extreme degree of manifestation, excessive force of expression of something. // Fury, indomitability (about natural phenomena). // decomposition Excessive zeal in smb. action.
Where does it live?
Different types of mosquitoes carefully select a place to lay eggs. It is important for them that the cycle and development occur under favorable conditions.
When searching for a location, the determining factors are:
- Illumination indicator;
- Presence of nutritional components;
- Optimal water temperature.
For future offspring, the female prefers small bodies of water with standing water. The habitat of the mosquito larva must have a large amount of nutrients that are required for full development and for the normal transition to the pupal state.
An acceptable temperature range is considered to be 10-35 degrees Celsius above zero. The most optimal indicator is considered to be 25-350C. Females rarely choose large bodies of water; in them it will be difficult for them to resist predators.
However, mosquito larvae cannot live in waters that are too polluted. If they contain a high content of petroleum products, then almost all individuals will die.
The fact is that the oil film that appears on the surface of the water surface does not allow organisms to breathe fully; it blocks the supply of oxygen. But this does not apply to individuals that use dissolved oxygen for respiration.
The habitat determines the breathing patterns. Some organisms obtain oxygen from the air. To do this, they use a breathing tube, which is located at the end of the body.
Individuals attach to the surface of the water and spend most of their time in this state. They can only change position when danger approaches.
Enemies
Most mosquito larvae die for various reasons:
- due to bad weather conditions: natural disasters, low temperatures;
- they are eaten by natural enemies, including the inhabitants of the reservoir: fish and amphibians, for which they are the main food;
- due to unfavorable ecology: polluted water, oil film on the surface, which prevents them from breathing.
On a note!
However, the decrease in number due to death is compensated by the high fertility of mosquito females, so people can only dream of reducing their population.
What does it look like
To understand what a mosquito larva looks like, you can look at the photo. They occur in nature, but many do not notice them. These are small worms with a body length from 5 to 15 mm.
There are distinctive features that can be noticed upon careful examination:
- The thoracic part is expanded in relation to the abdomen;
- The abdominal region is divided into 10 segments;
- There are two black eyes on the surface of the head;
- At the end of the body there is a long process, in relation to the abdomen it is located obliquely;
- The appendage is a breathing tube, at the end of which there are two openings through which oxygen enters.
They move along the water surface with the help of swimming hairs, which are collected in bunches and attached to the body.
The large one is located on the tail segment, it acts as a kind of motor and steering wheel.
Types of larvae and mosquitoes
Mosquito larvae
The structure of the body and important organs of different species of such creatures may differ, as well as their behavior.
Malarial
The larvae of malaria insects (anopheles) have a large head with oral brushes for food, a large chest and an abdomen of several segments. Unlike others, they do not have a respiratory tube at the tip of the abdomen, but have special spiracles in the 8th segment on the sides of the body. Their life passes near the surface (and they try to stay parallel to it), where they breathe and feed, catching small organisms with special brushes and directing them into their mouths.
How does he breathe?
At the end of the body of mosquito larvae there is a special process - this is the breathing tube. This part is required for the respiration of organisms. They swim to the surface of the reservoir and stick out a tube through which oxygen enters. The respiratory system is common among common mosquitoes.
There are mosquito larvae that receive dissolved oxygen. They absorb it through the surface of the body. Species live at depth; they rarely swim to the top of the water.
The larvae that live at the bottom of reservoirs have special gill filaments, with the help of which they can receive a sufficient amount of oxygen.
Mosquito larvae are an important stage in the development of insects. During it, systems and internal organs are formed that will be required for the further development of parasites. It takes about two weeks, then the pupal stage begins, from which the imago or adult emerges.
In order for a healthy mosquito to form from a larva, many important conditions must be met, which will subsequently affect the growth and formation of the internal system of the bloodsucker.
