Which life stage of mosquitoes includes four instars?

• A. Egg stage
• B. Larval stage
• C. Pupal stage
• D. Adult stage

Answer: (B)

During mosquito development, growth happens by molting within the larval stage. The larva undergoes four molts, advancing through the first, second, third, and fourth instars as it increases in size before it becomes capable of pupating. The pupal stage is a short metamorphosis period with no further molts, leading to the adult mosquito. The egg stage simply hatches into the larva; it doesn’t involve instars. So the life stage that includes four instars is the larval stage.