What are the characteristics of Aedes and Psorophora larva?

• A. Long siphon, hang diagonally
• B. Short siphon, hang vertically
• C. No siphon, horizontal to water surface
• D. Siphon at tail end for breathing

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is how mosquito larvae breathe and how their bodies position themselves at the water surface. Aedes and Psorophora larvae have a short breathing siphon at the rear end, and they hang vertically from the surface with their bodies pointing downward. This short siphon keeps the breathing tube close to the air–water interface, allowing air to be drawn in while most of the larva remains submerged. That vertical, head-down posture plus a short siphon is characteristic of these genera. Other patterns, like a long siphon with a diagonal hang, no siphon with a horizontal orientation, or a siphon at the tail end in a different setup, don’t match how Aedes and Psorophora typically inhabit and breathe in still water.