Several groups are predators on other mosquito larvae. They have specially modified heavily chitinized mouthparts, which allow them to seize other mosquito larvae and to eat them. Aedes alternans is one such species frequently found in association with Aedes vigilax. When collecting larvae for study, care must be taken to see that predacious larvae are removed from the collection or when you come to examine the insects in the laboratory you may find one large predacious larva and the remains of the rest of your collection. Distribution Larvae are not evenly distributed in the breeding site, tending to concentrate in areas where they will gain most shelter from predators.
Shallow pool fringes, particularly if grassy, provide protection from predators.
Some species have specially modified hairs on the siphon which allow then to anchor themselves to strands of blue green algae. Often if disturbed even if only by a shadow passing over a pool the larvae will move to the bottom and remain there for lengthy periods. Pupae The pupal stage, which can be as short as 12 hours in some New Guinea Anophelines usually, takes 24-48 hours in summer in south Queensland. The stage is one when the larval tissue is reorganised to form an adult insect. The pupa does not feed and breathes at the surface through a pair of respiratory horns.