Which genus includes floodwater mosquito species that overwinter?

• A. Aedes
• B. Anopheles
• C. Toxorhynchites
• D. Culex

Answer: (A)

Floodwater mosquitoes breed in ephemeral pools that appear after rain, and their eggs are designed to endure dry, cold conditions. These desiccation-tolerant eggs can overwinter in dry habitats and hatch when the next flood comes, making this genus the one associated with overwintering floodwater populations. That desiccation resistance and the tendency to exploit temporary, rainfall-driven habitats are hallmarks of the Aedes genus. In contrast, other genera often rely on different overwintering strategies (such as adult overwintering in shelters) and don’t share this floodwater egg strategy. So, the genus that includes floodwater mosquito species that overwinter is Aedes.