"Season" - what is it, definition of the term
The term «Season» refers to a recurring annual climatic phase characterized by distinct temperature and daylight patterns that regulate the life‑cycle events of ectoparasites such as ticks, bugs, lice and fleas, determining periods of development, activity and reproduction.
Detailed information
Ticks thrive during warm, humid intervals of the annual cycle. Activity peaks when temperature exceeds fifteen degrees Celsius and relative humidity remains above seventy percent. During these conditions, questing behavior intensifies, increasing host‑contact rates. In colder intervals, metabolic processes slow, and ticks seek shelter in leaf litter or soil, reducing surface activity.
Bugs exhibit distinct patterns across the yearly phases. Many hemipterans reproduce in spring, exploiting abundant vegetation. Their development accelerates in summer, reaching adulthood before the onset of cooler periods. Autumn prompts migration to overwintering sites, while winter imposes diapause or reduced metabolic activity, depending on species.
Lice maintain populations primarily on hosts, rendering external seasonal effects minimal. However, host grooming frequency rises in warmer months, influencing lice density. In colder periods, reduced host activity and tighter clothing create microenvironments that favor lice survival, leading to sustained infestations despite lower ambient temperatures.
Fleas respond to seasonal fluctuations through reproductive timing. Egg laying intensifies in spring and summer when host animals are more active and ambient conditions support larval development. Larvae require high humidity and moderate warmth; thus, they proliferate in sheltered habitats such as animal burrows or indoor carpets during these intervals. In winter, adult fleas may enter a dormant state, awaiting favorable conditions to resume reproduction.
Key factors influencing arthropod dynamics across the yearly phases:
- Temperature thresholds for activity and development
- Humidity levels required for survival and reproduction
- Host behavior and availability
- Availability of protected microhabitats for overwintering
Understanding these patterns enables targeted control measures aligned with the specific intervals of heightened arthropod activity.