Mosquitoes in the Winter

Mosquitoes in the Winter - Do all Mosquitoes Die in the Winter? The answer is a resounding ‘NO’! It is a misconception that all mosquitoes die after the first heavy frost. Mosquitoes are cold-blooded and do not generally bite below 50 degrees. And, depending on the species, they have different ways of surviving the winter. The mosquito that transmits Zika virus, Aedes aegypti, overwinters in the egg stage. Although the adults do die, the eggs enter a life stage called diapause that simply suspends their development. When warmer temperatures arrive and the eggs are flooded, they hatch and a new cycle begins! Nature wins again! Some species overwinter as adults, hanging out in animal burrows, hollow logs, tree holes, open root systems along streams or rivers, outbuildings, etc. When the temperatures rise, they will actively seek a blood meal so be wary on a warm spring day. And finally, some species overwinter in the immature stages (larvae and pupae). In cold water or even ice, they enter diapause, again suspending their development. One species even survives frozen in the ice that forms in pitcher plants! While Winter plucks his merry tune, And kills off biting foes; Spring time waits just ‘round the bend, With hordes of new mosquitoes! Learn more about Captain Stan here: https://catchmaster.com/introducing-captain-stan-the-mosquito-man/