Mosquito Taxonomic Inventory

Definition:

The first life stage of an insect.

Explanation:

Mosquito eggs are deposited so that they rest either horizontally or vertically. This poses a serious problem when trying to describe the orientation of an egg, e.g. whereas the terms “upper surface” and “lower surface” are applicable to the horizontally oriented egg, they are inapplicable to the egg oriented vertically. Since, however, the micropyle is always opposite the head of the developing embryo, it seems fitting that the orientation of the embryo be used as reference for describing the orientation of the deposited egg. See anterior end, dorsal surface, posterior end and ventral surface.

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