re: Mosquitos in BR are at insane levels

quote:

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I’ve got tens of thousands it seems like just in my small neighborhood yard. Nevwr seen it like this.

Multiple species. They aren’t biting yet, I assume because of the cold, but I shudder to think about next week.

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Most mosquitoes only swarm to mate. Once a female (the one that bites) successfully mates it shuts it down. The females aren't whores, she chooses one suitable male and that's it. Once mated, and conditions are right for egg laying (a source of water, even a thimble full will do) the female starts looking for a blood meal. The blood meal is crucial, as the eggs won't develop without it. Once she has a blood meal or two the egg development process is done and she lays her eggs in a suitable place. A day or two later she dies.

This process takes place over a matter of days in proper conditions. If conditions are poor (a drought) they will still swarm to mate at times, but the female will store the sperm until a more conducive environment develops or is found. Like I said, though, it doesn't take much water, even a bell-shaped bloom on a flower or a small puddle from a leaking sprinkler head will do.