Which sequence correctly lists the main life stages of a mosquito?

Which sequence correctly lists the main life stages of a mosquito?

• A. Eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults
• B. Eggs, larva, pupa, and adult
• C. Egg, larva, pupa, and adult
• D. Eggs, larvae, nymphs, adults

Answer: (A)

Mosquitoes go through complete metamorphosis, meaning there are four distinct life stages in a fixed order. The cycle begins with eggs laid on or near water, which hatch into aquatic larvae (wigglers) that feed in the water. After the larvae grow, they become pupae (tumblers), a non-feeding transitional stage. Finally, adults emerge as winged mosquitoes. So the standard, widely recognized sequence is eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Other options don’t fit because they either use the wrong stage names or imply a life cycle Mosquitoes don’t have. A nymph stage belongs to insects with incomplete metamorphosis, which mosquitoes do not undergo. Using singular forms like egg, larva, pupa, and adult is less consistent when describing the typical progression observed across individuals in a population.

Mosquitoes go through complete metamorphosis, meaning there are four distinct life stages in a fixed order. The cycle begins with eggs laid on or near water, which hatch into aquatic larvae (wigglers) that feed in the water. After the larvae grow, they become pupae (tumblers), a non-feeding transitional stage. Finally, adults emerge as winged mosquitoes. So the standard, widely recognized sequence is eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults.

Other options don’t fit because they either use the wrong stage names or imply a life cycle Mosquitoes don’t have. A nymph stage belongs to insects with incomplete metamorphosis, which mosquitoes do not undergo. Using singular forms like egg, larva, pupa, and adult is less consistent when describing the typical progression observed across individuals in a population.