Page 77 - GPHS Environmental Public Health Standards (Foundation of Public Health) v1

The Lifecycle of Pests

Most pests have a lifecycle consisting of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The duration of each

stage can differ depending on the type of pest and various environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and

the availability of food and shelter.

EGG STAGE PUPA STAGE
LARVA STAGE ADULT STAGE
During the pest's life cycle, The pupa stage is a stage in
the initial stage is known as Once the eggs of the pest the lifecycle of many pests The adult stage marks the final

the egg stage. The female hatch, they enter into the where they do not feed. It is phase in the lifecycle of a pest.
pest chooses a suitable larva stage. During this during this stage that the larva At this stage, the pest becomes
location to lay eggs, which stage, the pest feeds and undergoes significant physical capable of reproduction, thus
can be on a host plant, in soil, grows by consuming food. changes to become an adult. starting a new cycle. The
or on food. The quantity of The larva sheds its skin The pupa stage is a crucial duration of the adult stage
eggs laid varies depending on multiple times as it stage in the lifecycle of many varies depending on the pest
the pest's species and can continues to develop and pests as it is the most species and can range from a
range from a few to grow. vulnerable stage to pest few days to several months.
hundreds. control measures.