How many total stages do mosquito larvae undergo before becoming adults?

Mosquito larvae go through a total of four distinct stages before they mature into adults. This progression is part of the insect life cycle known as complete metamorphosis, which includes four phases: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

During the larval stage, mosquitoes undergo a series of transformations through these four stages identified as first instar, second instar, third instar, and fourth instar larvae. Each instar involves a shedding of the exoskeleton, allowing the larvae to grow. Following the larval stages, they enter the pupal stage, where they continue their development into adult mosquitoes. This multi-stage life cycle is crucial for their growth and adaptation to their environments, allowing for various developmental and biological processes that prepare them for adult life, including mating and reproduction.

The options referring to fewer stages do not account for the complete metamorphosis of mosquitoes, which emphasizes the importance of understanding these distinct developmental stages within their life cycle.