How does Culex pipiens survive the winter?

Culex pipiens, commonly known as the common house mosquito, survives the winter primarily as an adult. This mosquito has adapted to overwintering by finding suitable sheltered locations where temperatures remain above freezing. During the cold months, adults enter a state of diapause, which is a form of dormancy that reduces their metabolism and allows them to survive unfavorable conditions.

In contrast, the other life stages—eggs, larvae, and pupae—do not have the same capacity for surviving winter temperatures in many regions. Eggs may survive in icy conditions for a limited time, but they are not as capable of enduring prolonged cold as adult mosquitoes in diapause. Larvae and pupae are not built for winter survival either, as they require aquatic habitats that are typically frozen over in winter, making them vulnerable.

Consequently, the ability of Culex pipiens to overwinter as adults plays a critical role in the continuity of their populations, allowing them to emerge and become active again when warmer weather returns.