Which mosquito life stage is directly associated with the term "wigglers"?

The term "wigglers" refers specifically to the larval stage of mosquitoes. During this phase, larvae are aquatic and often seen swimming in a characteristic wiggling motion, which is how they earned that nickname. This stage is crucial for their development, as larvae feed on organic matter and microorganisms found in the water, allowing them to grow and prepare for the next phase of their life cycle.

In contrast, the egg stage precedes the larval stage and does not exhibit movement. The pupal stage follows the larval stage and is a resting stage during which the mosquito undergoes metamorphosis, but pupae do not exhibit the wiggling behavior associated with larvae. Adult mosquitoes are the final stage of the life cycle and are fully developed, allowing them to fly and reproduce. Therefore, the "wigglers" specifically refers to the actively feeding and growing larval mosquitoes.