Keeping Mosquitos

A simple way to illustrate insect metamorphosis is to breed mosquitos in a glass jar. All stages are easily observable and the complete life history is passed in a couple of weeks in summer. Simply expose a jar of water containing a bit of vegetation (grass clippings) in a shady spot and mosquitoes will soon lay eggs. The jar can then be brought inside for observation. The species most likely to be obtained in this manner is Culex annulirostris.