How Cold Does It Have Mosquitoes?
WouterDespite their name, mosquitoes are actually cold-blooded creatures. As a result, they have evolved strategies for surviving colder temperatures. These strategies include hibernation and diapause.
Diapause is a period of suspended development during which mosquitoes lower their metabolisms, delay development, and store nutrients. In the spring, they resume their life cycle. Some mosquitoes remain in diapause for months, even years.
Hibernation is one of the primary strategies mosquitoes use to survive the cold. Some species can survive deep freezes and winters, although others are not able to.
The first thing female mosquitoes do is enter a period of diapause. This is a period of suspended development during which they lay eggs. Some eggs can remain dormant for years. If the weather begins to warm up, the eggs will begin to hatch.
Diapause is important for mosquito species to survive the winter months. It allows mosquito eggs to remain unhatched for several months. Some mosquito eggs can even survive in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, most species become inactive below 60 degrees.
When temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, female mosquitoes enter a period of hibernation. They lay eggs in standing water, hollow logs, and animal burrows. They may also enter a home for shelter.
As the temperature begins to rise, female mosquitoes resume their normal activities. They come out to feed around sunrise and feed again at night. They will lay up to 300 eggs at a time.
