Below-freezing temperatures have blasted North Carolina this winter — but will that mean fewer bugs in the summer?
After a string of cold nights, we asked experts whether the chill could affect how many tiny critters we see later this year. We learned insects have evolved to survive all kinds of conditions, but they still might feel impacts from the weather.
Now, high temperatures in the 80s are predicted for next weekend in the Triangle and Charlotte. With warmer weather on the horizon, here’s what to know about the potential for mosquitoes, ticks and wasps.
What could this winter mean for bugs?
Over time, insects have developed ways to “withstand the winter,” with some species staying in the larval stage while others have freeze-resistant bodies. So even on the coldest days, only a few insects may die off, said Colin Brammer of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh…