ABSTRACT
Oviposition site selection by female mosquitoes is the primary determining factor in the habitat distribution of mosquito larvae, but the various clues used for oviposition remain only partially known. Mosquito larvae pass through four instars. These are the only times when the mosquito can grow. In multivoltine mosquitoes the presence of mites on a female mosquito is an indication that the female has not laid eggs. The mites are easily seen because of their red colour and relatively large size. Mosquitoes are holometabolous; in other words, they undergo complete metamorphosis. The adult mosquito develops in the pupal stage. Some of the structures from the larvae continue, but in general there is a complete rearrangement of tissue. Females only mate once in their life, but a single male can successfully inseminate up to four females. The glands are partially depleted if they have mated once but become almost fully depleted if they have mated twice.
