During the larval stage four separate developmental periods occur called instars. Therefore, passage from one instar period to the next results in a larva that grows gradually larger. A larva changes into a pupa in about a week. Mosquitoes remain in the pupal stage for one to two days. Male mosquitoes emerge from the pupa first and rest near the breeding site.
Female mosquitoes feed on nectar and blood.
Blood is necessary for egg development following mating. Without blood mosquitoes cannot produce eggs. In fact, mosquitoes select specific hosts from which to blood feed. Some mosquitoes feed only on mammals, others only on birds and some may blood feed on both these warm-blooded creatures. In some parts of the globe, some mosquito species feed principally on humans.