Head of mosquito larva. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of the head of a mosquito larva. At top, the head is capped by a crown of hairs which are flattened curved structures each with a small comb-like row of spines at their tip. A pair of mouthparts (at centre) also each have a fringe of hairs. These flattened hairs beat through the water filtering out algal spores, pollen, bacteria and other microorganisms on which the larva feeds. The mosquito larva hatches from a floating egg and floats horizontally just below the surface of the water, breathing through a respiratory siphon. Magnification: x55 at 6x6cm size. x90 at 4x4ins