How Cold Mosquitoes Die
WouterDepending on the mosquito species, they may survive cold weather. Some have developed methods to stay alive through the winter months. However, a sudden change in the weather can kill them.
Several types of mosquitoes hibernate during the winter. These include mosquitoes from the Culiseta and Anopheles genera. The snow mosquito, Culiseta inornata, hibernates in the south during the winter.
Another form of hibernation is diapause. When the temperature drops below 50 degrees, female mosquitoes enter diapause. This allows them to continue to lay eggs, but not hatch them. Some female mosquitoes will stay in this stage for up to a year.
When temperatures rise, some female mosquitoes resume their life cycle. They can lay eggs in a variety of places. They may lay them in hollow logs, animal burrows, and crevices. They can also lay eggs on a moist surface. Depending on the conditions, these eggs can survive for years.
Adult female mosquitoes can survive winter if they are laying eggs in a place where they can keep warm. These eggs are usually dormant until spring. They can lie in icy waters, moist soil, or hollow logs.
Some female mosquitoes will hibernate before the first frost. Others will hibernate in midwinter. Some mosquitoes, such as Anopheles freeborni, hibernate throughout the colder months.
Some mosquitoes, such as Anopheles walkeri, lay larger winter eggs than summer eggs. This helps them to survive freezing temperatures. Other mosquitoes, such as Anopheles, have evolved to live in areas with a lot of rain and snow.
