Mosquitoes are MOST susceptible to commonly used insecticides at which stage of their life cycle?

The correct answer is that mosquitoes are most susceptible to commonly used insecticides during the larvae and adult stages of their life cycle. This susceptibility can be attributed to the specific biological characteristics and behaviors of mosquitoes at these stages, which make them more vulnerable to the effects of insecticides.

During the larvae stage, mosquitoes are aquatic and feed on organic matter, which makes them highly exposed to insecticides that are typically applied to water bodies. Insecticides that target larvae can disrupt their growth and development, effectively reducing the population before they mature into adults.

As adults, mosquitoes are exposed to various application methods, such as spraying, fogging, and residual treatments. Adult mosquitoes are primarily affected by insecticides that target their nervous systems, which can interrupt their ability to feed, reproduce, and carry out other essential life functions.

By understanding the life cycle stages of mosquitoes and their susceptibility to insecticides, applicators can implement more effective mosquito control strategies. The other stages, such as the egg and pupa stages, are less susceptible because the eggs are often protected from environmental factors, and pupae do not feed or interact much with the surrounding environment, limiting their exposure to insecticides.