When Do Mosquitoes Come Out?
WouterWhether you live in a temperate or cold climate, mosquitoes can be a serious problem. They are known to spread dangerous diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. They can also cause itchy bumpy red bites.
There are many species of mosquitoes. Each mosquito is different, and their life cycles vary. Most species sleep in shaded wetland areas or forests. Some will hibernate during the winter. Others will feed during the day. During these seasons, mosquitoes are more active than during the warm weather.
In the United States, there are over 175 species of mosquito. Most of them are day-biters, meaning that they feed at dawn and dusk. Some of these species have been known to carry deadly diseases such as yellow fever and West Nile virus.
These mosquitoes lay eggs in puddles and standing water. The female lays around 100-300 eggs at a time. The larvae are shaped like hairy worms, and they feed on microorganisms. After they hatch, the pupae spend one to four days in a cocoon. When the weather gets warmer, the mosquitoes begin to develop into adulthood.
The adult mosquito lives between three and four weeks. The female mosquito can lay over a thousand eggs in her lifetime. The male mosquito dies after about ten days. They can live for a few months if they are kept in a dark place. They are unable to survive in hot, dry climates.
Some mosquitoes are nocturnal, which means that they only come out during the night. Some are day-biters, meaning that they are only seen during the day.
