Why do Mosquito lay their eggs in Water?

Question

Can they lay their eggs on land?

My daughter acutally came up with this question and I am shocked at how many people we are helping to "educate" by asking it. I hope someone knows the correct answer, but until then, the jokes are fun! Thanks to all!

Answer 1

The reason mosquitos lay thier eggs in water is because the larvae are aquatic. They cannot lay eggs on dry land because the larvae need water to survive in and thier food sources are also in the water.

Excerpt from wikipedia... The mosquito undergoes complete metamorphosis, going through four distinct stages in its life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult — a process that was first described by the Greek philosopher Aristotle. The length of the first three stages is dependent on the species and temperature. Culex tarsalis may complete its life cycle in 14 days at 20 °C (68 °F) and only ten days at 25 °C (77 °F). Some species have a life cycle of as little as four days, whereas in other species some adult females can live through the winter, laying their eggs in the spring. Many species of mosquito live their adult stage in roughly two weeks to two months. The larvae are the "wrigglers" or "wigglers" found in puddles or water-filled containers. These breathe air through a siphon at the tail end. The pupae are nearly as active as the larvae, but breathe through thoracic "horns" attached to the thoracic spiracles. Most larvae feed on microorganisms, but a few are predatory on other mosquito larvae. Some mosquito larvae, such as those of Wyeomyia live in unusual situations. These mosquito wigglers live either in the water collected in epiphytic bromeliads or inside water stored in carnivorous pitcher plants. Larvae of the genus Deinocerites live in crab holes along the edge of the ocean.

Answer 2

Mosquito Eggs

Answer 3

I never knew that they layed their eggs in water.... I thought they they just liked water, thats why they are found inwet areas.

Answer 4

The eggs have to be kept very wet. I wish they could only lay in ponds, then the fish would eat them all!

Answer 5

They prefer the water as they can then poach them.

Answer 6

i guess its just like us. we have to lay our eggs in the bed! lol... i guess its just the way nature works.....

Answer 7

wow i never knew this!!! see by asking questions you are also teaching at the same time...horray for you

Answer 8

I think it depends

Answer 9

I don t know

Answer 10

cos they suck