Which of the following mosquito stages is NOT aquatic?

Mosquitoes undergo a complete metamorphosis, which includes several stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The adult stage is the final phase of this metamorphosis and is characterized by its ability to fly and live in terrestrial environments. Unlike the other stages, which are fully aquatic, the adult mosquito lives both in and out of water.

The egg stage involves the laying of eggs on the surface of water, but the eggs are usually laid in clusters or rafts that float on the water. The larval stage, or wriggler stage, and the pupal stage, or tumbler stage, both occur underwater as these stages develop and mature. Therefore, the only mosquito stage that is not aquatic is the adult stage, as it transitions to a life primarily spent above water, where it feeds, mates, and seeks out suitable places for laying eggs.

Understanding the life cycle of mosquitoes is crucial for effective pest management and control strategies, particularly in targeting the aquatic stages where interventions can significantly reduce mosquito populations.