“And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto rue voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.” Genesis 3:1717And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; (Genesis 3:17).
The week of rain has formed pools of water in low spots. It has filled the bottom of an old tire leaning against a tree and collected in empty cans along the roadside. What does this have to do with mosquitos? Simply that these places make excellent spots for mosquitos to lay their eggs.
It only takes a day or two for mosquito eggs to hatch into “wrigglers.” They have a head on one end and tubes for breathing and feeding on the other. They immediately begin their odd wriggle from the bottom of their water home to the top. There they gulp air and take in microscopic food, then drop back to the bottom and repeat this cycle over and over again.
After a week or so the wriggler changes into a hard-covered pupa, now called a “tumbler,” because it continues this up-and-down cycle in spite of this change. In just a few days, however, it is ready to shed its skin and become a fully developed adult. But this does not happen quickly. While in the pupa stage it has developed a breathing system, looking like tiny portholes along its body.
Rising to the surface for the last time, the skin on its back breaks open. It then pumps air into its body through the portholes. This causes it to expand, making the opening wider, although still attached to its old skin. In this position it frees its wings, beak, six legs and antennae. The veins of its wings expand and open as air is pumped into them. It rests for a day on its floating shell, allowing its newly exposed body to harden. Then it takes off with the familiar hum of its wings. Another marvel of God’s creation has been completed!
But not all eggs become mosquitos. In swamps, ponds and streams the wrigglers become food for fish, ducks, frogs and others. In Alaska young salmon eat them by the millions.
The male mosquito lives on nectar, fruit juices or sap. It is only the female that seeks the blood of humans and animals. Her dagger-like beak forms a protecting and strengthening sheath for six hidden, sharp “stingers.” These slice through the skin, searching out a blood vessel from which to pump blood to satisfy her appetite.
Certainly mosquitos are not liked by man or beast, but God has provided these remarkable little creatures to fulfill a place in the chain of life. The pain of a mosquito bite is a reminder that sin has left its mark on all creation (as indicated in our opening verse), marring it in many ways. Its loveliness will not be restored until a time to come when the Bible tells us the Lord Jesus Christ shall be owned as “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.” 1 Timothy 6:1515Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; (1 Timothy 6:15).
Before that time all who have accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour will be called to heaven where He dwells and where no sin will ever mar its unspeakable glory or the joy of those who are there. Will you be among that number?
ML-01/02/1983