MDARD Mosquito Control (Categoy 7F) Practice Exam

Aedes mosquito eggs have a remarkable ability to withstand desiccation until flooding occurs, which is crucial for their survival in often unpredictable environments. This adaptation allows Aedes eggs to remain viable for extended periods even when the water source dries up. Once conditions become favorable, such as when rains return and flood the areas where the eggs were laid, the eggs can hatch and the larvae can emerge in the newly available water.

This characteristic is a key factor in the life cycle and distribution of Aedes mosquitoes, as it enables them to exploit temporary water sources that may not always be present. Thus, the association of these eggs with the ability to survive dry spells significantly enhances the habitat potential and overall population resilience for Aedes species.

Other options, while they may reference different aspects of mosquito biology, do not accurately capture the unique survival strategy of Aedes eggs in the face of environmental challenges.