A mosquito's life begins

This Culex mosquito is just emerging from its pupa (brown). Culex mosquitoes are found worldwide and carry a number of diseases. A single female can lay some 400 eggs, which are deposited on the surface of still water. The larvae filter plankton from the water before pupating at the surface. Adults emerge from the pupae a few days later, using the floating pupa as a raft prior to flying free.

2nd place in the Visions of Science Photographic Awards