5.4  Life cycle of the mosquito vector

Now you will learn about the life cycle of the vector of the malaria parasite, the mosquito. Mosquitoes have four different stages in their life cycle: the egg, larva, pupa and adult (see Figure 5.6). The first three stages are immature and are found in water collections. The adult is a flying insect. The time taken for the different stages to develop depends on temperature and nutritional factors in their environment. Development takes a shorter time at higher temperatures.

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Figure 5.6  Life cycle of the malaria vector mosquitoes (Anopheles species). (WHO, 1997, Vector Control Methods for Use by Individuals and Communities)