What stage do mosquitoes go through after the larva stage before becoming adults?

Mosquitoes progress through a distinct life cycle that includes several stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. After the larva stage, mosquitoes enter the pupa stage. During this stage, the larvae undergo a significant transformation, where they become encased in a protective shell called a pupal case. This stage is critical as it allows the mosquito to develop into its adult form, ultimately preparing to emerge as a fully developed adult mosquito.

The pupa stage is quite different from the larval stage, as pupae are inactive and do not feed. Instead, they primarily serve as a transitional phase. Once the transformation is complete, the adult mosquito will emerge from the pupal casing, ready to begin its life cycle anew.

This contrasts with the other options provided, such as caterpillar and chrysalis, which are terms associated with the life cycle of butterflies and moths rather than mosquitoes. The egg stage is the initial phase, occurring before the larval stage, so it does not come after the larval phase in the progression.