Some insects lay eggs in water, and their larvae develop in water ecosystems. The insects that do so are called water insects. For example mosquitoes and dragonflies are water insects, as their eggs and larvae develop in water. 

The development from an egg into a mature insect is an example of metamorphosis. There are two types of metamorphosis.

A mosquito hatches from an egg and develops under water as a larva. Finally, the larva encases itself in a structure called a pupa. The pupa hatches into an adult mosquito that is once again capable of flying and laying eggs. This kind of process is called a complete metamorphosis. In the image gallery below, the complete metamorphosis of a mosquito is explained in pictures. 

Like a mosquito, a dragonfly larva is hatched from an egg. The dragonfly larva grows in size under water before climbing a plant to reach the surface. When the larva is above the surface, it hatches into an adult dragonfly. This process is called an incomplete metamorphosis. 

An incomplete metamorphosis differs from a complete metamorphosis in that it lacks a pupal stage. In the image gallery below, the incomplete metamorphosis of a dragonfly is explained in pictures. 


Dragonfly larva live under water.