In which stages of growth are mosquitoes aquatic?

Mosquitoes are aquatic during the egg, larval, and pupal stages of their life cycle. In the egg stage, female mosquitoes lay their eggs on or near water sources. These eggs hatch into larvae, which live in water and rely on it for feeding and growth. The larvae undergo several molts as they grow. After the larval stage, they transform into pupae, which are also aquatic. The pupal stage is a time of transformation where the mosquito develops into its adult form while still being submerged.

Once the adult mosquito emerges from the pupa, it exits the water and begins its terrestrial life. This transition explains why the adult stage is not aquatic. This clarification underscores why the correct answer highlights that mosquitoes are aquatic in the egg, larval, and pupal stages.