Life Cycle of a Mosquito
Mosquitoes of different species lay their eggs in a variety of water sources that range from small containers to vast expanses of marshland. The larval stage is always aquatic and shuttles from the subsurface where it filter feeds on micro-organisms to the surface to obtain oxygen through a snorkel-like breathing apparatus. The pupal stage does not feed but unlike most Insect pupae is extremely active. The adult emerges from the pupal case using air pressure and assume a terrestrial existence.
Drawing by Brett Crans.