Mosquitoes are usually thought of as a summer phenomenon, like barbecues or days at the beach.  But have you ever wondered what happens to them during the 'off season'?  The answer may be more complicated than you think, because it differs by species (and we have 23 mosquito species in our area). 

Culex mosquitoes, like the ones that are the primary vectors of West Nile virus, and Anopheles mosquitoes (potential vectors of malaria) go into diapause (a form of hibernation) during the coldest part of the year.  In late October or November, adult females seek out sheltered locations like caves, culverts or underground storm drains where they will be protected from extreme temperatures.  They remain there until the first spell of warmer weather (around here that typically happens in mid to late February), at which time they emerge from their hiding places, take a blood meal from a bird or other warm-blooded host, and produce eggs to start the cycle all over again.  One of the leading theories for how West Nile virus gets started every year is that females infected the previous fall pass the virus on to birds when they emerge to feed in spring.  click here to continue...