DC bugs
December 19, 2011 6:58 PM Subscribe
Question about unseasonably warm weather in DC and bugs.
This is my first Winter in the DC Metro area, but my understanding is that the past month has been unseasonably warm. We had an infestation of stink bugs this year, and over the past few weeks, I've noticed a few stink bugs, and other insects that would normally be dead or in hibernation already. I'm wondering if the bugs coming out now means that they'll be less likely to procreate and lay eggs that will hatch in the Spring, or if this just is making their procreation season longer. My Google-fu is failing me, and honestly, the answer probably won't make a whole lot of difference WRT preparation, but I'd like an idea what to expect over the next few months.
This is my first Winter in the DC Metro area, but my understanding is that the past month has been unseasonably warm. We had an infestation of stink bugs this year, and over the past few weeks, I've noticed a few stink bugs, and other insects that would normally be dead or in hibernation already. I'm wondering if the bugs coming out now means that they'll be less likely to procreate and lay eggs that will hatch in the Spring, or if this just is making their procreation season longer. My Google-fu is failing me, and honestly, the answer probably won't make a whole lot of difference WRT preparation, but I'd like an idea what to expect over the next few months.
Stinkbugs are a relatively new phenomenon (last 5 years), not a result of the temperature. They're here to stay.
posted by stratastar at 10:42 PM on December 19, 2011
posted by stratastar at 10:42 PM on December 19, 2011
I saw a mosquito this morning in near NE, so, yes, there is an unusual re-appearance of bugs this year. It seems that these late-season hatchlings do interrupt the normal cycle, resulting in fewer bugs next year, but that's totally my anecdotal memory; not sure if a biologist would concur.
posted by MrMoonPie at 6:48 AM on December 20, 2011
posted by MrMoonPie at 6:48 AM on December 20, 2011
We didn't see stinkbugs inside our place (and mercifully only a few) last year until the temperature dropped for a chunk of time, so I'm not sure what's going on with them this year, but I'm sort of expecting whatever invasion does happen to start later. And yes, it has been an unseasonably mild December in DC. There's a mess of something that sort of looks likes forsythia behind my building that's trying to bloom right now, and that's entirely unseasonal.
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:08 AM on December 20, 2011
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:08 AM on December 20, 2011
This is 100% anecdotal, but during the years I lived in DC I always remember winter taking a while to kick in, with some definitely odd 50-degree days late in the season. I think every year I lived there I commented on an unseasonably warm day in the winter. As far as stinkbugs go, they're everywhere, all the time. It's insane. Apparently it is a new thing, and they are an invasive species: Stinkbug Wiki
posted by trubleu1212 at 9:03 AM on December 22, 2011
posted by trubleu1212 at 9:03 AM on December 22, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by The Lamplighter at 10:13 PM on December 19, 2011