Larva

LARVAE - BITING MIDGES
  • Four larval instars
  • They are cylindrical, white with well sclerotized head
  • There are 11 body segments i.e. 3 thoracic and 8 abdominal and are without appendages
  • Larvae show a characteristic eel like or serpentine movement
  • At the posterior end they have 2 pairs of narrow, bifid anal papillae (gills) which are retractable into the rectum
  • This stage lasts for 14-25 days
Last modified: Thursday, 24 June 2010, 5:32 AM