The first mosquito larvae you can sample in later winter to early spring in pond habitats with abundant cattails or other round stemmed vegetation is Coquillettidia perturbans. This species has a modified hook-like air tube which they use to pierce the stems of underwater vegetation and breath using the plants inner air-filled chambers. This is an incredible evolutionary advantage which allows them to remain submerged and hidden not having to come to the surface to breath and expose themselves to predation as with other mosquito species.