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Factors That Affect the Mosquito Life Cycle

Illustration of a mosquito with body parts labeled

Topic

  • Microbiology
  • Pathogens & Disease
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Zoology
  • Scientific Skills & Literacy
  • Explanations & Argumentation

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Labs & Demos

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IB
Saved By
7 Users
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Description

In this lab activity, students rear mosquitoes to test variables that might affect the mosquito life cycle.

Mosquitoes transmit a number of deadly and infectious diseases, such as malaria, West Nile fever, and dengue fever. Studying the life cycles of arthropod vectors, such as mosquitoes, may lead to the development of strategies for limiting, or even stopping, the spread of the disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa they transmit.

In this activity, students rear and observe mosquitoes in breeding chambers to test variables that might affect the life cycle of the mosquito. Students select a question of interest to investigate, design the protocol for experimentation, and carry out the investigation.

The “Activity Guidelines” document provides guidance on experimental design, writing a formal lab report, and a sample grading rubric. The “Mosquito Reference Document” provides information and illustrations about the mosquito life cycle.

Student Learning Targets

  • Develop and utilize protocols for a scientific investigation, which includes formulating a hypothesis, designing an experiment, making observations, and developing conclusions based on data. 
  • Discuss how scientific data can be used to prevent disease.
     

Estimated Time

One to two 50-minute class periods for students to plan the experimental design. Rearing the mosquitoes requires two to three weeks, with observations requiring only 5 to 10 minutes per day.

Key Terms

experiment, infection, insect, investigation, scientific process, vector, virus

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Version History

Date Published 07.09.10
Date Updated 05.29.18

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS2-1, HS-LS2-8, HS-ETS1-1; SEP1, SEP3, SEP4, SEP6, SEP7

AP Biology (2019)

IST-4.B; SP3, SP4, SP5

IB Biology (2016)

6.3

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 8.15
Learning Objectives & Practices: EIN-3.D, SP7

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.7, ELA.WHST.9–12.1
MP1, MP2, MP3

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2, CC5; DP1, DP4, DP6

Materials

Educator Materials (PDF) 268 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 174 KB
Activity Guidelines (PDF) 200 KB
Mosquito Reference Document (PDF) 520 KB
Educator Materials - Español (PDF) 274 KB
Student Handout - Español (PDF) 201 KB
Activity Guidelines - Español (PDF) 207 KB
Mosquito Reference Document - Español (PDF) 517 KB

Additional Materials

  • mosquito rearing chambers
  • mosquito eggs
  • mosquito food
     

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