Figure 2.

Acquisition and transmission of the microbiome over the life cycle of the mosquito. 1. Microorganisms from the aquatic environment colonize the larvae. These organisms provide essential nutrients such as B vitamins. 2. During pupation there is a large reduction for or even elimination of the microbiome. 3. After emergence mosquitoes are exposed to rearing water potentially being recolonized by aquatic bacteria, but are also exposed to new sources of colonizing bacteria such as flower nectar. 4. Certain members of the microbiome may facilitate blood digestion by female mosquitoes becoming more abundant in the gut. Other bacteria may be adapted to survive the high nutrients and reactive oxygen species. 5. Through colonizing the female ovaries microbes may be deposited on the egg surface, ensuring they are available to colonize newly hatched larvae, there by continuing the colonization cycle.