How do Culex mosquitoes deposit their eggs?

Culex mosquitoes are known for their unique method of egg deposition, which involves laying their eggs in clusters, commonly referred to as rafts. These rafts typically consist of dozens to hundreds of eggs and float on the surface of various bodies of water, such as ponds, marshes, and standing water. This method of grouping eggs together helps to protect the developing larvae from desiccation and predation while also providing a stable habitat where the eggs can hatch successfully.

The choice of laying eggs on the water surface is practical for the Culex's lifecycle, as it ensures that the larvae will have immediate access to a suitable aquatic environment for growth and development after hatching. This increases the likelihood of survival for the young mosquitoes, as they can enter the water while they are still in the larval stage. This behavior is a key factor in their breeding success and enables them to thrive in various wetland environments.

In contrast, the other options—laying eggs individually on land, scattering them in damp soil, or depositing them in leaves above water—do not accurately describe the reproductive strategy of Culex mosquitoes. These methods are not effective for the aquatic larval development that Culex reliant upon.