mosquitoes are insects related to flies. some kinds of mosquitoes spread diseases when they "bite," but many kinds do not.
A mosquito's mouth has a tubelike part called a proboscis ( proh BAHS ihs ). when the mosquito "bite," it punches a hole with its proboscis. then it drinks its meal. some kinds of female female mosquitoes "bite" people and animals. they drink blood to feed the eggs inside their bodies.
most moaquitoes lay their eggs in water or in a damp place. the eggs of most kinds hatch into larvae ( LAHR vee), or wrigglers, after two or three days. the larvae change into pupae and then become adults. male mosquitoes live about 7 to 10 days. females live 30 days or more.