Many species lay eggs that remain dormant in the soil for years before hatching. The larva lives in water but breathes air through a siphon that penetrates the water surface, or, in some species pierces the roots of aquatic plants such as cattails. 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.