Template:POTD/2015-07-19
A diagram showing the anatomy of a mosquito (sp. Culex restuans) larva. Such larvae have a well-developed head with mouth brushes used for feeding, a large thorax with no legs, and a segmented abdomen. The water-inhabiting larvae breathe through spiracles located on their eighth abdominal segments, or through a siphon, and must come to the surface frequently. Larvae develop through four stages, or instars, after which they metamorphose into pupae. At the end of each instar, the larvae molt, shedding their skins to allow for further growth.Diagram: LadyofHats