Body Structure

Mosquitoes possess a slender body, long legs, a single pair of wings and a specialised mouthpart known as a proboscis. Only female mosquitoes feed on blood, which provides the nutrients required for egg development, while male mosquitoes feed entirely on plant nectar.

Life Cycle

Mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis, developing through four distinct life stages. The egg, larva and pupa are aquatic, while the adult is a free-flying insect.

Reproduction: Females lay eggs on or near standing water after taking a blood meal.

Growth & Lifespan: Under favourable conditions, mosquitoes may develop from egg to adult within one to two weeks.

Behaviour: Adult mosquitoes spend much of the day resting in cool, shaded locations before becoming active during their preferred feeding period.

Habitat: Mosquitoes occupy environments where standing water is available for breeding.

Diet: Female mosquitoes require blood for egg production, while both males and females obtain energy from plant nectar.

Mosquitoes require only one essential resource to breed—standing water. Homes often provide numerous breeding sites, including buckets, flower pot trays, roof gutters, discarded tyres, blocked drains and water storage containers. Even small amounts of stagnant water can support mosquito development.

In nature, mosquitoes are preyed upon by fish, dragonflies, frogs, birds and bats. Around homes, however, artificial breeding sites often provide favourable conditions with fewer natural predators.

Mosquitoes are among the most important vectors of human disease. Depending on the species, they can transmit malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and lymphatic filariasis. Even where disease transmission does not occur, mosquito bites can cause irritation, allergic reactions and considerable nuisance.

Adult Mosquitoes: Frequent mosquito activity indoors or outdoors.

Mosquito Larvae (Wrigglers): Active larvae observed in standing water.

Mosquito Pupae (Tumblers): Comma-shaped pupae floating just below the water surface.

Standing Water: Containers or areas where water remains undisturbed.

Frequent Biting: Increased biting activity around people.

Mosquito Swarms: Swarms commonly observed around vegetation or breeding sites.

Mosquito activity generally increases during warm and humid conditions and peaks during or after periods of rainfall when breeding sites become abundant.

In Arunachal Pradesh, this isn’t confined to a single monsoon window — the region’s subtropical climate brings sudden, heavy downpours throughout much of the year, not just during the traditional monsoon months. In and around the capital region particularly, limited waste management and drainage infrastructure create abundant, often long-standing breeding sites — potholes, discarded containers, uncollected waste holding water — that can persist well beyond any single rainfall event. Uncollected waste and standing water are a recognised contributing factor to mosquito-borne disease risk in these areas, making breeding-site management as important as seasonal timing.