Book 4, Question 106
Why Do Mosquitoes Hatch Near Water?
Mosquito babies are aquatic! Eggs are laid on still water. The wrigglers breathe at the surface and eat tiny bits until they become flying adults.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 4
More fun facts
- Most female mosquitoes lay their eggs in water or near it.
- A female can lay up to 200 eggs at a time, depending on the kind of mosquito.
- The eggs hatch into larvae, which grow into pupae before becoming flying adults.
- In warm weather, most mosquito eggs hatch within three days.
- Mosquitoes can breed anywhere water collects, even in puddles, buckets, tree holes and trash.
Sources: National Geographic Kids, NASA Science
Questions kids ask
Do mosquitoes need a big pond to breed?
No. Mosquitoes can breed anywhere water collects, even in a puddle, a bucket or a piece of trash.