With the onset of autumn cold, each of us notices that there are less and less insects on the street. Many of us think they are dying. Some suggest that flying insects hibernate, but still, let's figure out where butterflies and mosquitoes hide in the winter. You will find the answer to this question in our article. And also learn interesting facts from the life of these amazing insects.
Mosquitoes in the autumn
It is known that as soon as the summer heat gives way to the September cold snap, the number of mosquitoes on the street decreases sharply. As you know, a huge part of these insects dies after laying the first eggs. Those mosquitoes that survived are looking for comfortable places where they can easily winter. These blood-sucking insects in autumn and winter can be found in the bark of dry trees and hollows, in the grass, moss, burrows, various deep caves and so on. They endure the winter cold without any difficulties at any stage of development, it does not matter whether it is an adult, a larva or a pupa. Mosquitoes in the basement or cellar calmly winter, and as soon as the summer warm days arrive, they leave the shelter and go hunting.
Diapause in the life of mosquitoes
We are approaching the answer to the question of where butterflies and mosquitoes hide in the winter. The winter period in the life of these insects is called diapause. During this period of life, bloodsucking squeaks do not feed, and if this does not happen, then the individual can not reproduce. But there are exceptions! If mosquitoes winter in the damp and warm basements of private or multi-storey buildings, then they are still active. Adults find food for themselves, thanks to this the reproduction process continues, and they lay their eggs. Therefore, if you go down to the cellar for potatoes, you will meet a mosquito even in the most severe January frosts. Now you know where mosquitoes winter.
Butterflies in winter
These beautiful creatures are less fortunate than mosquitoes. The thing is that the butterfly age is very short. In nature, there are species that die several hours after leaving the pupal stage. Some live a little longer - about a day. Butterflies that can survive the winter are very rare! As a rule, these are large-winged insects; they are born in the autumn. Butterflies belong to the order Lepidoptera, for them the main way to transfer winter is the pupal stage. Their small cocoon can be found in secluded places, namely in plants and grass, as well as in fallen leaves.
But there are also cases when a cocoon is attached to a tree branch. There are species of butterflies that winter in the adult stage. These include lemongrass butterflies. They can be found under the bark of a tree. In hard and frosty times, lemongrass falls into suspended animation, that is, is in hibernation. During this period, the butterfly does not develop. It is known that spring and summer do not come immediately, but gradually. During a light thaw, the butterfly wakes up, but it is no longer able to survive the next cold snap. Thus, the lemongrass butterfly dies. Now you know where butterflies and mosquitoes hide for the winter.
Anxiety of scientists
Over the past few decades, experts have come to the conclusion that a huge number of butterflies are leaving their natural habitat. They fly to big cities. This is due to the fact that urban objects emit heat, which attracts Lepidoptera. They settle in the basements, on the roofs of houses and factories. Due to the fact that the butterfly does not fall into suspended animation, it soon dies. These facts worry scientists more and more.
Butterflies are of great benefit to the flora world. They are in second place for pollination of plants after bees! Did you know that a butterfly tastes food only when it stands on it ?! The thing is that the taste buds of Lepidoptera are on their feet!
Our article has come to an end. You learned where butterflies and mosquitoes hide in the winter, as well as what happens to insects in the cold season.