Final answer:
The key difference between the pupa of a mosquito and that of other insects is that mosquito pupae are somewhat mobile, moving within their aquatic environment, whereas most other insect pupae are immobile.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Mosquito Pupa and Other Insect Pupae
One significant difference between the pupa of a mosquito and the pupae of many other insects is the level of mobility. Mosquito pupae are known as 'tumblers' because they can move to some extent, even though they do not feed. This is in contrast to the pupae of many other insects, which are typically immobile and, in some cases, encased in a cocoon. For example, a butterfly pupa—often referred to as a chrysalis—is generally stationary and does not move on its own. The ability to move allows mosquito pupae to respond to environmental threats by tumbling down in the water column, where they develop, and rising back up to the surface for oxygen. This mobility provides a survival advantage in aquatic environments.
The pupa is a stage in the insect life cycle that undergoes metamorphosis, a process during which the larval body transforms into an adult insect. While mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis, mosquito pupae are unique in their ability to move somewhat within their aquatic habitat, unlike most other insect pupae which remain static during their transformation