Do mosquito pupae feed?

Mosquito pupae are indeed active but do not feed. During the pupal stage, which follows the larval stage, mosquitoes do not consume food as they did when they were larvae. Instead, this stage, which is also known as the "tumbling stage," is primarily focused on metamorphosis, where significant development is occurring as they transition into adult mosquitoes.

Pupae can be seen swimming in water, where they respond to stimuli and can move quickly to avoid danger, but during this phase, their mouthparts are not functional for feeding. This distinctive feature sets them apart from the larval stage, where active feeding takes place. Thus, it’s important to recognize that while pupae are indeed active organisms, their primary role is not to feed, allowing them to conserve energy for the transition into the adult phase.