Everything To Know About What Happens to Bugs in the Winter
Winter is a beautiful season. Deep down, it’s not my favorite, but I still look forward to it because I get to bundle in my favorite sweaters, drink cocoa, and sit by a cozy fire. While we humans have this luxury, have you ever wondered what happens to insects in the winter? My friends and I recently talked about how we can’t wait for the snow to fall because bugs subside until spring. Then it hit me—I couldn’t say (with confidence) where these missing bugs made off.
I once believed bugs curled up in a corner of the woods and died, but it turns out there’s more to it than that, y’all. Read on to learn more about what happens to our creepy, crawly, and nuisance friends when Jack Frost rolls around.
1. Hibernation and Diapause: The Napping Insects
Most of us know that animals such as bears hibernate through the winter, but did y’all know that some bugs do the same? They enter a state called diapause, akin to hibernation, to lay low during winter. Their metabolism slows down, and they chill out (quite literally) in a dormant state. Going into this state helps conserve energy until spring comes around.
2. Migration: Southern Bug-aloo
Like songbirds and butterflies, some insects head south for the winter. Monarch butterflies, for example, travel thousands of miles to escape the cold. During this migration, they mate and reproduce, ensuring the survival of their species. And who wouldn’t want a sunny, bug-sized vacation in a warmer climate?
3. Overwintering As Eggs, Larvae, or Pupae: Mastering the Waiting Game
Some insects have the patience of saints, y’all. They lay eggs before the cold sets in, and then the eggs, larvae, or pupae take their sweet time developing during winter. They don’t hatch or metamorphose until warmth returns in the spring. For example, one part of how bees survive the winter is by laying eggs during this season. This overwintering strategy helps younglings survive the cold without needing to find food.
4. Inside Dwellers: When Bugs Become House Guests
Now, don’t panic, but sometimes bugs survive by taking refuge in our homes during winter. Boxelder bugs, ladybugs, and stink bugs sneak into our walls or attics to escape the winter weather. While they might not be the most welcome guests, most won’t cause a ruckus until it’s time for them to leave in the spring.
5. Cold-Blooded World: The Hardy Survivors
Some bugs are so tough they can withstand downright chilly temperatures. Winter stoneflies and snow fleas are two tough critters that can make it through temperatures well below freezing. They produce a special antifreeze-like substance inside their tiny bodies that prevents them from freezing solid. Now that’s a cold-blooded survivor, wouldn’t you agree?
Bugs don’t just up and disappear when it gets cold outside—they have some clever ways to make it through those frosty winter months. Now that you have everything to know about what happens to bugs in the winter, it’s time to get yourself winter, y’all!
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