Mosquito pupa hatching. Light micrograph of the pupa of a mosquito (family Culicidae), emerging into an adult at the surface of water. Mosquito pupa are aquatic and breath through spiracles located on their abdomen, or through a siphon (breathing tube) on the end of their body. After a few days, depending on the water temperature, they rise to the surface of the water, the cephalothorax (fused head and thorax) splits and the adult emerges (seen here). Magnification: x28, when printed 10 centimetres wide.