What is the name and what does a mosquito larva eat? mosquito larva

Summer is coming, which means that every person will meet his long-loved insects - mosquitoes. They've been bothering us since the beginning early childhood and do not give rest even in old age. People even have some kind of myths about these bloodsuckers (for example, that mosquitoes can “recognize” the composition of human blood and therefore bite mainly those with “young” blood), but how much do we know about them?

Mosquito as a species

The mosquito is distinguished from other insects primarily by its elongated (up to 15 mm) and thin body. Disproportionately long legs (six of them), which end in two claws, support a wide chest and an abdomen divided into 10 segments. Narrow wings reach a span of as much as 3 cm. These insects are dominated by brown, yellow and gray colors in color, but you can also find others, for example, green, red. Mosquitoes have a very light, long body

The mosquito's receptors and olfactory organs are located on long antennae, which are divided into 15 parts. With the help of these “sensors” mosquitoes track their “prey”, and the diet of males differs from the diet of females.

This is due to the fact that females lay eggs, from which mosquito larvae subsequently emerge; for the full development of the “fetus” it is necessary a large number of protein food, which is blood - human or animal. The male does not need protein; flower nectar or plant juice is enough for him. In this regard, the oral apparatus of males is underdeveloped; it cannot “gnaw” through the skin and drink blood.

Mosquitoes cannot squeak, as is commonly believed. A peculiar sound occurs during the flight of an insect, when the frequency of wing movements is approximately a thousand times per second.

The mosquito has very powerful jaws

Cycle of life

There are only four stages in the life cycle of a mosquito. First, the female lays 30–150 eggs in the water; this happens every 2–3 days. The emerging larva lives in a reservoir and feeds on various microorganisms. They have special breathing tubes for breathing. During this stage, the larva molts four times, then turns into a pupa, in which it develops over the next five days. In the cocoon, the larva gradually changes its color, acquiring the color familiar to its species. When the pupa opens, the insect is already mature; this stage is called imago. Mosquitoes live on average up to 3 weeks.

Mosquito larvae live in bodies of water

Mosquitoes live advantageously near bodies of water, which they need for breeding offspring. But they settle in any damp, hot places, including apartments.

Mosquitoes can be found in every corner globe, with the exception of the south and north poles and the cold areas adjacent to them.

In urban areas, a male and a female mate, after which the female obtains protein food and then lays eggs. Outside the city, males gather in a large swarm and wait for females there, after which mating occurs, and the female goes in search of a “protein donor.” After the eggs are laid, the breeding cycle repeats.
Mosquitoes mate quite often (after laying eggs, the female is ready for new offspring)

The role of mosquitoes in the biological chain

Every organism is part of a biological chain; and creatures such as mosquitoes are no exception. They feed on other insects, animals and birds: frogs, newts, salamanders, dragonflies, spiders, the bats, chameleons, water bugs, lizards, swifts and hedgehogs.

Mosquitoes have a very light body, so they do not cause the web to sway when they get into it. Spiders only learn about their prey when they crawl out of their hiding place.

Since mosquito larvae develop in water, they become food for the inhabitants of water bodies: fish, swimming beetles, crustaceans, and water striders.
The diet of gambusia must include mosquito larvae

Types of mosquitoes

There are about three thousand in the world various types mosquitoes, including those that carry deadly diseases (for example, malaria).

Common mosquito (squeaker)

The squeak is very annoying

This type of blood-sucking insect is found everywhere and is particularly annoying. Adults reach a length of only 8 mm, but at the same time they can easily tolerate quite serious diseases (meningitis, infectious eczema and others).

Centipede

Centipedes feed only on plant sap

Centipedes live in areas with high humidity and a large amount of vegetation: in swamps, reservoirs, in forest thickets near the lake. This close-up view(torso length adult reaches 8 cm in length), which is why it is often confused with dangerous to humans. The centipede feeds exclusively on plant sap and is safe for both humans and animals. True, agricultural land and forest plantings suffer greatly from it.

The centipede larvae are very voracious, eating everything tasty from plant foods both in water and on land.

Centipede

These mosquitoes can be called clean, since they not only do not bite humans, but do not even carry any infections on their legs, as flies do. It is believed that the meeting of a centipede mosquito and an allergy sufferer will not cause any reaction in a person.

My friends, who are allergic to literally everything they can, calmly endure clouds of these mosquitoes during the warm season.
The centipede is very similar to a fly or queen ant

This type of mosquito looks very similar to the queen ant; small birds (for example, sparrows) like to feast on it. Tongues are very important for nature because they produce humus well.

Friends said that they saw these “flies” many times in greenhouses, and they were discovered by flying sparrows. This invasion of insects and birds continued for several days, after which the mosquitoes disappeared.

The adult individual very much resembles a moth with a faded gray-brown color. What distinguishes them from beautiful butterflies is that they have fibers on their wings, not scales. The caddisfly can be called a lover of cleanliness, since it lives near those streams, ponds, lakes and swamps where it is clean. If the reservoir is littered (by humans or simply very overgrown), they will not be found there.
Caddisflies live only near clean bodies of water

If you catch a caddisfly, you can feel bad smell, which most likely protects the insect from birds.

Distinctive feature of these insects is that throughout their adult life(1-2 weeks) they do not feed on anything, therefore they are absolutely harmless to humans.

Taiga

The monument to the taiga mosquito stands in the city of Noyabrsk (Yamalo-Nenets District)

The taiga mosquito differs from its relatives in the painful sensations after the bite. The Nenets say that cold and frost are much easier to bear than the consequences of “hunting” these insects in the warm season.

The taiga mosquito has a very long trunk, which is slightly more than half the length of the body, and fairly powerful legs.

Mosquito-dergun (or bell)

The jerks are very beautiful and absolutely safe for people

Another harmless mosquito whose lifespan is only 2–5 days. It lives in reed thickets, on the banks of rivers and swamps. A distinctive feature is the yellow-green color and very long limbs. The antennae on the head are covered with fairly long hairs. Derguns feed exclusively on plants, so they do not cause any inconvenience to humans and animals, even when they fly in whole swarms nearby.

Culex is a large genus of mosquitoes

Culex is a large genus of insects with more than 1,200 species. Adults reach a length of 10 mm and have a characteristic shape. oral apparatus- case. Culex are carriers of dangerous diseases (filariasis, encephalitis, malaria and others).

Malaria mosquito carries deadly disease

This mosquito got its name because of the pathogen it carries. dangerous disease- malarial plasmodium. It is quite difficult to distinguish such a dangerous insect from an ordinary one, but knowledgeable people are guided by the following structural features:

• the hind limbs of the malaria mosquito are longer than those of a normal mosquito;
• the antennae are the same length as the sting;

Mosquito bite - what is the danger

The female blood-sucking mosquito has sharp jaws, with which it gnaws a hole in the skin of a person or animal, while simultaneously spraying saliva into the victim’s body with a substance that prevents blood clotting. It is this component of saliva that causes an allergic reaction in the form of itching, redness of the skin and swelling. She then plunges her proboscis into the wound and sucks out the “red liquid.”

The female may bite several times until she receives the amount of blood and protein she needs, after which she goes in search of a moist place where she can lay eggs. Unfortunately, mosquitoes do not die like bees, but, on the contrary, multiply after being bitten.
The female is ready for fertilization immediately after she lays her eggs.

Mosquitoes are not very picky and bite everyone: sick and healthy, so an infection from one organism through the insect’s proboscis can be transmitted to another organism and infect it. True, there is one important condition For infection, the causative agent of the disease must develop in the body of the bloodsucker, and not just get there. The following diseases are predominantly transmitted:

• malaria;
• yellow fever;
• encephalitis;
• meningitis;
• Lyme disease;
• filariasis;

Fortunately, HIV and AIDS are not transmitted through the bite of this insect.

In Russia, mosquitoes transmit extremely infectious diseases from one person or animal to another, but a “special component” of their saliva can cause an allergic reaction, which can turn into dangerous angioedema (if not stopped in time).

I have heard several times that people died after being bitten by mosquitoes because they did not get medical help on time.

Video: why a mosquito bite is dangerous

There is no need to be afraid of the warm season because of some unpleasant insects: you already know what certain mosquitoes look like, which ones are really dangerous for humans, what consequences their bite can lead to, and you can by studying a little more literature , provide first aid if necessary. No bloodsuckers should spoil either you or your loved ones’ well-deserved rest.

Reading time: 4 minutes. Published 11/07/2018

From the eggs laid by the female mosquito in the water, larvae appear after 8 days. They live in bodies of water, feed on microorganisms and breathe oxygen using breathing tubes. During their life, insects molt 4 times (shed their exoskeleton). In 20 days, the weight of mosquito larvae increases 500 times. The duration of the insect development stage depends on air temperature and other weather conditions.

The total development period of mosquito larvae is about 30 days.

In this article:

Appearance

Hatched bloodsuckers resemble small worms that grow and develop quickly. They differ from each other in the structure of the body and behavior depending on the species. Among them the following varieties are distinguished:

The optimal temperature for larval development is considered to be +25…30°C. Some insects quickly adapt to harsh conditions, so they can live calmly at +10...35°C. The larvae often live in polluted water bodies, but life under the oily film of petroleum products is impossible for them.

This video explains how to kill mosquito larvae:

Life activity of an insect

The larval stage lasts up to 4 weeks. The next stage of her life is transformation into a pupa with a more complex structure. However, many insects die soon after birth for various reasons:

1. Adverse weather conditions ( low temperature, natural disasters, etc.).
2. Predators (fish and amphibians feed on larvae).
3. Poor environmental conditions (water pollution with oil film, etc.).

Strict selection is compensated by the high fertility of females, so it is too early to talk about a decrease in the mosquito population.

In case of urgent need, pedicia absorb oxygen with the help of gill appendages. Malarials absorb it throughout the body. The rest, in order to breathe, “throw” their tail, which has 2 small holes at the end, onto the surface of the water. This way they inhale oxygen. In this case, insects can dive to a depth of no longer than 15 minutes (as long as there is a supply of air).

Due to the fact that mosquito larvae pass water through themselves, they play an important role as a reservoir cleaner.

The mosquito larva feeds on algae and organic microorganisms. To eat, the insect filters 1 liter of water per day. The oral cavity contains a filtration system that captures the nutrients it needs.

An exception is the larva of the anopheles barberi mosquito. It feeds on the larvae of other individuals.

Environmental impact

Pests are considered to be centipedes, which cause damage to agricultural crops by gnawing crop seedlings. Kusak is classified as dangerous insects, since the adult of this species carries viral infections:

• yellow fever;
• Zika virus;
• Dengue fever, etc.

Centipedes are pests, useful only in the form of fishing bait

Other varieties benefit fresh water bodies by filtering and purifying water. They become nutritious food for aquarium fish and other amphibian species. Fungi and bacteria actively multiply on the body of the insect. Humans often use mosquito larvae as bait when fishing.

Today, the common mosquito larva is most often found in America and Europe. It was these parts of the world that this pest at one time quite successfully and en masse populated. The life cycle of the corresponding blood-sucking insect, which has some original features, can be confidently divided into four main stages:

• egg;
• larva;
• chrysalis;
• imago.

The first of the stages of reproduction presented above is the laying of eggs by the female. For this purpose they often choose wastewater. Mosquito eggs stick to each other, occupying a certain area.

Mosquito larva. Appearance Features

Warm weather is optimal condition for mosquito breeding. In this case, the larva emerges from the egg after about three days. The size of the body of future pests is quite modest. Its length does not exceed 1 mm. Experts say that the larvae resemble small fish, characterized by a transparent color and a forked fin located on the tail. They feed mainly on living creatures that are even smaller than them. There will be plenty of such food in any fresh water body. Especially if we're talking about about the spring-summer period of the year.

Mosquito breeding in urban environments

As you know, not only residents of agricultural regions suffer from mosquito attacks in summer period of the year. The same applies to townspeople. Practice shows that there are only some of the most favorable places for the development of larvae. In this situation we are talking about the most humid and damp basements. Only after the end of the development process do mosquitoes prefer to live in a more familiar and comfortable air environment. The lifespan of an adult insect, depending on certain external circumstances, can be approximately one and a half months.

Natural enemies of larvae

Numerous amphibious creatures and fish are also not against feasting on the above-mentioned insects that are not yet strong enough to defend themselves. Terns, gulls, phalaropes and anseriformes are the largest foodies. No matter how hard female mosquitoes try to hide their future offspring, in the end an impressive number of them are still eaten natural enemies. People can thank predators for this, because otherwise the number of mosquitoes would be much greater, which would create much more serious problems for humanity.

Certain benefits

Today, mosquito larvae are very often used for feeding and raising numerous aquarium fish.

They feed on live larvae:

• cichlids;
• gourami;
• barbs;
• angelfish;
• goldfish.

Practice shows that this food is very healthy for the presented fish. They are much faster in strengthening the body. Owners of fish aquariums are well aware of this, which is why they are active buyers of bloodworms.

Body structure and developmental features

After emerging from the egg, the mosquito larva actively faces an increase in its own size. Before the ripening stage, its volume may well increase even five hundred times. The length becomes eight times longer. Due to the too rapid growth process, the larvae quite logically encounter periodic molting. This procedure involves discarding the outer integument. In their place in as soon as possible new and more impressive in size integuments appear. In total, the maturation of the larva involves the passage of four instars at once.

Immediately after their birth, the larvae are characterized by a small body, the length of which does not exceed 1 mm. After the end of the fourth stage of molting, this figure increases on average to 8-10 mm. It should be understood that molting involves not only the renewal of the outer integument and an increase in the size of the body, but also the improvement of the internal organization.

The end of the fourth period of growth leads to the fact that the larva turns into a pupa. At this stage of their development, mosquitoes already become much more mobile. In terms of its external characteristics, this creature resembles a certain hunchback with rather impressive-sized eyes. In terms of nutrition or behavior, pupae are practically no different from mosquito larvae. True, in in this case it is imperative to highlight one important feature. The pupa is characterized by large dimensions and a fairly functional tail. Because of this, she moves using fast leaps. This feature allows her to cover significant distances in the shortest possible time.

The mosquito larva is the second stage of the life cycle of blood-sucking pests. Scientists who study insects note the importance of this stage, since during this period the accumulation of useful components and substances that are necessary for further development. The duration of an individual's stay in the larval stage for a long time. Although the insect resembles a worm, it feeds and moves independently. This is what makes it particularly interesting to people and scientists.

The period of growing up is accompanied by molting and an increase in size. The network contains photographs of the larvae of the squeak mosquito. They resemble small worms or caterpillars, which can have a different structure or color. The abdomen of the bloodsucker includes 10 segments.

To see how the larva of a blood-sucking mosquito develops, it is not necessary to use literature or visit specialized sites. You can find them in containers containing old water in the summer. Small worms concentrate at the top. If you lower a stick or other object into the water, they will go deeper in order to hide. These mosquito larvae and bloodworms have a certain supply of oxygen, so they can stay at the bottom for 10-15 minutes.

The transformation of a bloodworm into a pupa of an ordinary mosquito occurs after a certain period of time. The pupae are similar to tadpoles, but their colors are different. They move quickly and sometimes jump.

Features of development

1. The female lays eggs. When determining how many eggs a female will lay, it is necessary to take into account species characteristics. For example, the squeak lays a lot of eggs, from which larvae are born.
2. It takes 2-8 days for the egg to fully mature. It all depends on the conditions in which the insect lives.
3. After 2-8 days, larvae appear and inhale oxygen through appropriate tubes. During the period of growing up, 3-4 molts occur.
4. After a certain period of time, a pupa appears and develops within 4-5 days. The hue of the pupa changes from light to black.
5. Another stage is the imago (adult). She gets out to the ground.

Where do they live?

The female mosquito carefully selects a place for subsequent egg laying. To determine where blood-sucking mosquitoes lay their eggs, the habitat is studied. Particular attention is paid to the following factors:

• Are nutritional ingredients available?
• Temperature of standing water in the tank.
• Degree of illumination.

In order for the bloodworm to appear and develop, females choose containers and reservoirs in which the water is stagnant. The liquid must contain microorganisms and shelters. Acceptable temperature regime maintained at 25-35 degrees. Reservoirs that are large in size are not used for laying, as there are predators and other dangers here. Therefore, such places are not checked to find out where mosquito larvae live.

Although blood-sucking pests do not have any special requirements for places of existence, they never live in water that is excessively polluted. For laying, places that are filled with petroleum products are not chosen, since they have a detrimental effect on the speed of development. Bloodworms and adult insects cannot breathe normally through the film present on the surface. The only exception is species that use dissolved oxygen.

Blood-sucking insects also differ in their respiratory system. Some species go outside to get the required portion of oxygen, others just need the air in the water. By the way, almost all species overwinter at the larval stage in a container or reservoir where the water does not freeze. Some varieties have a preference for soil or aquatic environments.

What do they eat

Blood-sucking insects eat a variety of substances and components that they can process. Most often, the larva eats microorganisms concentrated in water. Since the individual lives in stagnant water, there are no problems with nutrition. Blood-sucking insects feed on plants in the water and rotting particles. They enter the body during fluid pumping. Some motels feed on the larvae of other mosquito species. Scientists have more accurate information about what a young individual eats as it goes through the molting stages.

Who are bloodworms?

A separate category includes bloodworms, which are called bells, chironomids or dolguns. Another name is the squeak mosquito, which in its larval stage looks like a worm. Their squad is located near the bottom of a container or a reservoir with standing water.

Within 1.5-2 weeks, the size of the bloodworm increases significantly (up to 16 mm). Those bloodworms that live on the lake bottom consume microorganisms, as well as silt deposits. In order for oxygen to enter the body, blood-sucking insects use gill filaments. Some of the oxygen also enters through the body of the pest.
These bloodworms have a deep red hue. This is because there is a huge amount of hemoglobin in the body. Since the body is saturated with iron, bloodworms also endure prolonged oxygen deficiency.

Malaria mosquito larva

They have several characteristic features. The main feature is the absence of a breathing tube. To carry out gas exchange, the malarial species attaches to the surface of the water. To do this, he uses bristles concentrated on the front of his abdomen. With the help of these bristles, the insect assumes a horizontal position. Therefore, fishermen see malaria mosquitoes quite often. The size of bloodworms and adults is affected by the temperature level and habitat.

Role in biocenosis

Bloodworms occupy a significant place in the biocenosis. Many reptiles, fish, as well as birds and other insects feed on them. Experienced aquarists are interested in this product. To do this, they visit specialized and zoological stores. Small insects and bloodworms are consumed by hedgehogs, small crustaceans, seagulls and toads. Scientists have identified a certain type of fish (gambuzi). This phenotype feeds on bloodworms of various blood-sucking species. They eat other food if there are no larvae available. Aquarists use this information to adjust population sizes.

Blood-sucking insects in the house

Squeaker and other species are born and develop in water. This is why mosquitoes do not like drought and also do not tolerate lack of moisture. This feature can be used if it is necessary to remove bloodworms and adults from an apartment or house. To poison mosquito larvae, you can use chemical insecticides and preparations, as well as folk remedies from which they die. To purchase them, you need to contact specialized stores. Since the drugs are attached detailed instructions, there will be no problems with removal. All a person needs to do is study the features and do everything correctly.

The mosquito larva is the second stage of insect development after the egg. This is an important period in the life of a bloodsucker because accumulation occurs. nutrients for adults. Despite their small size, they play an important role in nature.

Appearance of the larva and structure

When answering the question of what a mosquito larva looks like, one can describe a small worm, the body length of which usually does not exceed 1 cm. But there are some differences that are clearly noticeable upon careful examination: their thoracic region is expanded in relation to the articulated abdomen, and on a large head There are 2 black eyes.

The color of the larvae depends on. In the well-known squeaker they are brown, while in the malarial one they are green.

At the end of the larval body there is a long process, obliquely located in relation to the abdomen. This is a breathing tube, at the end of which there are 2 tiny holes: through them vital oxygen enters the body.

If you approach a body of water where mosquito larvae live and sweep your hand sharply over the surface of the water, they will abruptly take off and rush deeper into the water to hide from potential danger. To do this, they are helped by so-called swimming hairs. They are collected in bunches and attached to the body of the worm. The largest of them is located on the tail segment, playing the role of a kind of motor and rudder, setting the pace of swimming and the direction of movement in the water.

The entire life of a mosquito in the larval stage lasts on average 3–4 weeks. Its exact duration depends not only on the species, but also on the conditions. environment, primarily water temperature. During this time, intermediate molts occur: the insect sheds its body cover - the exoskeleton - so that it can increase in size.

Mosquito larvae are characterized by intensive growth: when they first hatch from the egg, their length does not exceed only 1 mm and they are almost invisible to the naked eye. By the end of the stage, the body stretches up to 1 cm. Body weight increases even faster: according to biologists, its difference from the original can be up to 500 times. When the development of the larva ends, it transforms into a pupa with a more complex structure.

How is her life going?

All species of mosquitoes, of which there are about 3,500, have larvae that live in the water where the female lays her eggs. To give birth to offspring, she can choose:

• a fresh body of water, most often calm and with standing water; small size and depth up to 1.5 m;
• drains;
• puddles that do not dry up for a long time;
• pits filled with water;
• barrels and tubs.

Structure of larvae different types may differ significantly, and this determines the characteristics of their behavior. But for the majority, due to the presence of a breathing tube on the tail, there is a need to be in a position upside down at the surface of the water. So they expose holes to receive oxygen. Only approaching danger can force them to go deeper into their native reservoir, but in a maximum of 15 minutes the worms will again hang near the surface. But there are also mosquito larvae that live at the bottom of reservoirs - for example, the bell mosquito.

The life of the larvae is also interesting. She, unlike her brothers, does not have a breathing tube at the end of her belly, but has holes located along the edge of her body.

The necessary conditions

Species of mosquitoes differ greatly from each other: some prefer the hot and humid climate of the tropics, while others feel good near the Arctic Circle. For the development of their larvae, some choose reservoirs that are well heated by direct rays of the sun, while others look for shady ponds. In general, scientists call the permissible temperature for development a range of 10–35 °C, but the optimal ranges from 25 to 30 °C: in such conditions growth occurs faster.

What danger awaits the larvae?

Observations have shown that most of the larvae die, and only some of them manage to turn into pupa. The cause of death may be bad weather conditions (for example, low water temperature or natural disasters). But such losses are more than compensated by the high fertility of these blood-sucking insects, so there is no need to talk about a decrease in their population.

Often these small worms end up being eaten: mosquito larvae are the main food for other inhabitants of the reservoir: fish and amphibians. They are in no way protected against these enemies.

Another threat lies in the unfavorable environmental situation. If a reservoir is polluted with petroleum products, a thin film forms on the surface of the water. It blocks the larvae's access to air, without which they die after 15 minutes, and also clogs the holes in the breathing tube.

Nutrition

With what ? Their diet includes microscopic organisms such as unicellular algae, as well as organic plant remains that decompose in water. To find suitable food, the larva filters the water. On average, its volume in 24 hours is 1 liter, which is an impressive figure for such a small creature.

Bloodworm

Bloodworms - the name of the mosquito larva from the families Chironomidae (they are also called jerks and bells) and Tendipedidae - are perhaps the most significant in human life. These creatures are used as bait in fishing, with which you can get a rich catch, so they are actively sold in specialized stores. The bell mosquito larva is well known in the aquarium hobby and among people who keep exotic reptiles at home: it is a suitable food for their pets.

Bloodworms are sold fresh and frozen. Individuals are sorted by size depending on the size of the fish for which the bait is intended.

These larvae prefer to live at the bottom of reservoirs, densely overgrown with vegetation. They are benthic organisms - spending their lives in mud. This is where they find their food. But, like all species, they need oxygen, so they periodically float to the surface.

Bloodworm is the larva of the Polypedilum vanderplanki mosquito with an enviable survival rate. Scientists conducted an original experiment in collaboration with a space organization, when these creatures were carried out in outer space (while being outside the ISS) longer than a year. After returning, 80% of the larvae were alive. Therefore, bloodworms are rightly called the most complex organism known to science that survives desiccation.

Bloodworms are characterized by a red color, which they acquire due to the hemoglobin content. Their way of life is also curious: with the help of a substance secreted by the salivary glands, they glue together a kind of tube-shaped house from silt. It serves as a shelter for them, so the larva sticks out of it only the front part, with which it finds food.

The life and development of mosquito larvae is quite interesting. They are beneficial by performing the function of a living water filter and serving as food for fish, which is actively used by humans. The larvae also play the role of an indicator of the cleanliness of water bodies: if it is polluted, then their population dies.