Where Do Mosquitoes Hibernate?
WouterDuring the cold winter months, mosquitoes can become lethargic and shut down. Some species can survive the winter, but others die or become inactive. However, there are a few exceptions to this. Among the rarer examples are mosquitoes on Antarctica and polar or subpolar islands.
There are four stages in the life cycle of mosquitoes. The first is a dormant stage, which begins when temperatures drop to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In this stage, females lay their eggs in water, which will develop in the spring.
When the temperatures rise in the spring, female mosquitoes emerge from dormancy. They lay up to 300 eggs at a time. They then enter diapause, which slows their metabolism and delays development. This period can last up to six months. When enough water is available, the females burrow into a safe, moist area, where they will spend the remainder of the colder months inactive. They may or may not return to active life after this period.
After entering diapause, the mosquitoes begin to feed on blood, which helps the eggs to develop. They will wait until the weather warms, and they will look for humans to provide the blood. Then, the females will mate. The males will then die. The adult mosquitoes will die when the weather becomes too cold to support their body temperature.
After the adult mosquitoes die, the eggs will remain dormant for a couple of months. This will allow the next generation of adults to develop.
