Spring snow storm - what happens to the bugs?

[Dave]

Does this late snow storm kill off all the bugs and they restart at 0 meaning less bugs this year, or does it mean we get a "second spring" and twice as many bugs?
Anybody in the know on this?

 

[Barkingcat]

It really depends how cold the temperatures get -- many insect species (including black flies) can survive quite a few nights of sub-freezing temperatures by sequestering themselves in small, sheltered spaces (hollow of a tree, etc.). The bugs just go dormant.

I doubt that this cold snap and snow will do much to diminish the bug population.

We would need a week or two of sub-freezing days -- not just nights -- in a row to put much of a dent in the population.

Sorry!

 

[Explorer Editor]

Actually, I heard on NCPR today that the snow provides insulation for insects.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

Guess it depends on the bugs, but in my experience, years with late spring snowfalls are heavier than usual blackfly years.

 

[The Hikers]

Guess you never tripped over a bug shelter.