When it grows large enough, a larva turns into a comma-shaped pupa that floats near the surface of the water. It has two little snorkels near its head which have to poke through the water surface to get air. The pupa's job is to allow the aquatic larva to become a winged adult. The adult that hatches from the pupa will leave the water and live on land and in the air. Adult mosquitoes eat fruit and flower nectar.
Females eat blood before they lay eggs.
They need blood to form the eggs they will lay. Adult male mosquitoes don't need to eat blood. After a male and a female mosquito get together, the female can lay more eggs to start the life cycle all over again. The New York State Department of Health has some ideas. They include making sure there aren't many wet places for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.