Which statement correctly differentiates egg-laying of standing-water mosquitoes from floodwater mosquitoes?

• A. Standing water eggs on surface; floodwater eggs on damp soil not covered by water
• B. Standing water eggs submerged; floodwater eggs on water surface
• C. Standing water eggs on leaves; floodwater eggs in water
• D. Standing water eggs underwater; floodwater eggs on dry ground

Answer: (A)

Egg-laying behavior is the key difference. Standing-water mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface of water or right at the water’s edge, often in rafts or on vegetation that will be flooded by the water. Floodwater mosquitoes lay eggs on damp, dry soil or mud in areas that will later be covered by floodwaters, and the eggs hatch when those areas flood. So the best description is that standing-water mosquitoes put eggs on the water surface, while floodwater mosquitoes deposit eggs on damp soil not yet covered by water. This matters for control because standing-water eggs can be targeted by removing or treating standing water, whereas floodwater eggs survive dry periods and hatch after floods, requiring different strategies focused on dry habitats and post-flood hatching.