Which statement about larval mosquito feeding is true?

Which statement about larval mosquito feeding is true?

• A. They feed exclusively on blood
• B. They feed only on algae
• C. They feed only on large invertebrates
• D. A few species are predaceous and feed on small invertebrates including other mosquito larvae

Answer: (D)

Larval mosquitoes show a range of feeding habits, but most feed on tiny organisms and organic matter in the water, like algae and detritus. A few species, however, are predatory and actively feed on small invertebrates, including other mosquito larvae. That makes the statement true: some larval mosquitoes are predaceous and can prey on fellow larvae. This diversity in larval feeding is part of why certain species can influence mosquito populations in the environment. It’s also helpful to recall that blood feeding is an adult female behavior, not a larval one, so larval stages aren’t feeding on blood. The other options don’t fit because they either imply that larvae feed exclusively on blood, only on algae, or only on large invertebrates, which isn’t accurate for the general larval mosquito feeding patterns.

Larval mosquitoes show a range of feeding habits, but most feed on tiny organisms and organic matter in the water, like algae and detritus. A few species, however, are predatory and actively feed on small invertebrates, including other mosquito larvae. That makes the statement true: some larval mosquitoes are predaceous and can prey on fellow larvae. This diversity in larval feeding is part of why certain species can influence mosquito populations in the environment. It’s also helpful to recall that blood feeding is an adult female behavior, not a larval one, so larval stages aren’t feeding on blood. The other options don’t fit because they either imply that larvae feed exclusively on blood, only on algae, or only on large invertebrates, which isn’t accurate for the general larval mosquito feeding patterns.