Which life stage of the mosquito is typically targeted by larvicides?

The larval stage of the mosquito is typically targeted by larvicides because this is the stage where mosquitoes are most vulnerable and reliant on aquatic environments for survival. Larvicides are specifically formulated to disrupt the development of mosquito larvae, either by affecting their growth, disrupting their feeding, or causing mortality. This targeting is essential because controlling larval populations can significantly reduce the number of adult mosquitoes that emerge, thereby reducing the overall mosquito population in an area.

In contrast, the adult stage involves fully developed mosquitoes, which are more challenging to control with larvicides as they do not reside in water. The pupal stage, while also aquatic, is a transitional phase and is less susceptible to larvicides since it is a stage of development where the mosquito is not actively feeding. The egg stage is generally not targeted by larvicides since they are resistant to many chemical treatments and require different control strategies, like environmental management or adult control measures.