How do stable flies survive the winter?

Stable flies, scientifically known as Stomoxys calcitrans, have adaptive survival strategies that enable them to endure harsh winter conditions. The correct answer emphasizes that larvae can survive over winter by residing in breeding sites that generate sufficient heat, such as manure piles or compost heaps. These environments provide a relatively stable temperature that protects the larvae from freezing and allows them to develop and emerge once the conditions become favorable in spring.

This method of survival is particularly effective because the larvae can remain dormant until warmer temperatures return, thus ensuring a continual presence of the species in the ecosystem when conditions improve. The heat generated in these breeding sites, often due to microbial activity breaking down organic materials, creates an ideal microhabitat for the larvae.

The other options do not accurately represent the survival mechanisms of stable flies during winter. Adult flies generally do not survive freezing temperatures, while eggs in dry soil would likely not survive the winter due to dehydration and adverse conditions. The notion that none survive the winter is incorrect, as the larvae's survival strategy allows the population to persist through unfavorable conditions.