Where is the respiratory siphon located on a mosquito larva?

Where is the respiratory siphon located on a mosquito larva?

• A. Head
• B. Tail end of their long slender body
• C. Midbody
• D. On the ventral surface

Answer: (B)

Mosquito larvae breathe air through a specialized tube on the far end of their body. This respiratory siphon sits at the tail end of the abdomen and extends above the water surface, allowing the larva to draw in atmospheric air while most of its body stays submerged and continues feeding. The tail-end position aligns with the larva’s typical vertical resting posture at the surface, making gas exchange efficient without getting in the way of its feeding parts. A siphon on the head, midbody, or ventral surface would not provide easy access to air or would interfere with feeding.

Mosquito larvae breathe air through a specialized tube on the far end of their body. This respiratory siphon sits at the tail end of the abdomen and extends above the water surface, allowing the larva to draw in atmospheric air while most of its body stays submerged and continues feeding. The tail-end position aligns with the larva’s typical vertical resting posture at the surface, making gas exchange efficient without getting in the way of its feeding parts. A siphon on the head, midbody, or ventral surface would not provide easy access to air or would interfere with feeding.