The young mosquito newly emerged from the egg bears no resemblance to the mature state. It is as though it is a completely different creature. The body of the larva is approximately 1-1.5 mm (0.04-0.05 inch) in length and is divided into 3 sections consisting of the head, the thorax and the abdomen. The head is oval-shaped with eyes on either side that meet in the middle, with a short antenna above each eye. But the larva has to go through a long and difficult journey before it turns into a mature mosquito.

The larvae live underwater. Because they eat constantly, they enlarge 6-7 times in the space of a week. This is the only time in the mosquito's life cycle that it grows. The larva is just hungry, eats and gets bigger.

How does the larva feed in the water?

In this phase in order to breathe the larva has to remain suspended over the water without drowning. But there is a problem: How can a mosquito, which constantly needs to feed, get food when it is constantly suspended above water? A special method has to be found for this, but the creature in question is only a larva, with no capacity to think or develop a method.

If necessity dictates, the larva can dive into the water, but only for a short time because it has to come up to the surface to breathe. For this reason, it is impossible to feed by diving in this way.

A very important mechanism present in the larva allows it to eat head-down in the water. Thanks to this mechanism, the larva, which cannot go after its prey, agitates the water and brings prey to its mouth. It creates a current in the water by the rapid shaking of the 4 sets of fine-haired brushes on either side of its mouth. Bacteria found in the water are thus guided into the larva's mouth by the motion of the water. The larva also eats the bacteria that get stuck in these brushes. A mosquito larva can sieve about 100-1,000 cc of water a day by this method.

As we have seen, there is an evident design in the larva: the brushes around its mouth are special feeding tools. Thanks to this system the larva can reach its prey without drowning. In His boundless compassion, Almighty God manifests Himself as the Provider (al-Razzaq) of all Creation, and protects the mosquito larvae. God has indeed created all creatures to perfection. And every living creature is provided for by God:

How many creatures cannot fend for themselves! God provides for them as He provides for you. He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. (Qur'an, 29:60)