What type of eggs are laid by Culex and Culiseta?

• A. Single eggs that are desiccation resistant
• B. Single eggs with floats that are desiccation susceptible
• C. Egg rafts that are desiccation susceptible
• D. Desiccation resistant eggs

Answer: (C)

Culex and Culiseta lay eggs in a floating raft on the water’s surface. This raft is made up of many eggs glued together, and the eggs inside are not built to withstand long dry spells; they are desiccation susceptible and need an aquatic environment to hatch. This stands in contrast to some other mosquitoes whose eggs are laid singly and can resist desiccation for extended periods. So the description that best fits these genera is egg rafts that are desiccation susceptible.