City Lights Are Lengthening The North American Mosquito Season

A study in Columbus, Ohio found that porch-light-level illumination kept Culex pipiens active into autumn.

Artificial light at night suppressed diapause more than urban warming, overriding the usual temperature cues for dormancy.

As a result, many mosquitoes kept blood-feeding and reproducing later in the season.

The findings suggest light pollution could extend mosquito season and raise West Nile virus risk in cities.