What is used to identify mosquito larvae?

• A. Structure and number of hairs
• B. Eye color
• C. Leg length
• D. Wing patterns

Answer: (A)

Identifying mosquito larvae relies on distinctive features seen on the larval body. The most diagnostic characteristic is the structure and number of hairs (setae) on the larva, known as chaetotaxy. These hair patterns on various body segments, including the head and siphon area, are used to differentiate species and genera when larvae are examined under a microscope.

Eye color isn’t a reliable or widely used trait for larval identification, and leg length isn’t a clear differentiator among larval forms. Wing patterns are features of adult mosquitoes and aren’t present in larvae, so they can’t be used to identify the larval stage. In practice, technicians use hair patterns along with other larval morphology to identify species.