Overwintering

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Overwintering is the process by which some

temperatures, ice, snow
, limited food supplies) make normal activity or even survival difficult or near impossible. In some cases "winter" is characterized not necessarily by cold but by dry conditions; passing through such periods could likewise be called overwintering.

Hibernation and migration are the two major ways in which overwintering is accomplished. Animals may also go into a state of reduced physiological activity known as torpor.[1]

Overwintering occurs in several classes of lifeform.

Insects

See also: Insect winter ecology

In

large white, will only overwinter in southern Eurasia; they are not seen overwintering elsewhere.[5] Some species of parasitic conopid flies, such as P. tibialis, are known to overwinter inside of the corpse of their bee/wasp hosts before emerging in the spring.[6] The queens of the yellow-faced bumblebee (Bombus vosnesenskii) will over-winter, and then emerge early in the flight season to obtain the best available subterranean nests.[7] Lastly, many species of Lasioglossum, including L. hemichalceum (which is a common sweat bee), will overwinter in underground nests before emerging in the spring to start new colonies.[8]

Birds

Many

corvids, instead remain in colder areas throughout the winter, often remaining in groups for warmth.[9]

Plants

Plants are sometimes said to overwinter. At such times, growth of vegetative tissues and reproductive structures becomes minimal or ceases completely. For plants, overwintering often involves restricted water supplies and reduced light exposure. In the spring following overwintering many plants will enter their flowering stage. Farmers and gardeners use a process of "overwintering"[10] to achieve early spring harvests of some crops by planting annual or biennial species in fall, often under the protection of high or low tunnels.[11] In plant pathology, overwintering is where a plant pathogen survives the winter, during which its normal crop host species is not growing, by transferring to an alternative host, living freely in the soil or surviving on plant refuse such as discarded potatoes.

People

People are also described from time to time as overwintering. This was especially true in the past during the exploration of the planet when people had to pass the winter in places not ideally suited for winter survival, and even today in the

polar regions. Today people may be said to overwinter when they temporarily move to warmer areas during the months of prevailing cold weather in northern latitudes, such as people from various parts of North America staying in Florida
, Arizona, or New Mexico (among other places) for parts of November to March.

References

  1. ^ Savedge, Jenn. "The Difference Between Hibernation and Torpor". ThoughtCo. Dotdash. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  2. ^ Vanessa, Fonesca. "Nymphalis antiopa". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  3. S2CID 6500698
    .
  4. ISSN 0013-8894
    .
  5. S2CID 85922279
    .
  6. ^ Chauhan, Avinash (2015). STUDIES ON PESTS AND DISEASES OF BUMBLE BEE, Bombus haemorrhoidalis Smith (Thesis thesis).
  7. ^ Williams, Paul. Bumble Bees of the Western United States.
  8. JSTOR 25084866
    .
  9. ^ Heinrich, Bernd (19 December 2018). "How Do Birds Survive The Winter?". AllAboutBirds. The Cornell Lab. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  10. ^ Taki, Tarek Siddiki (2023-08-08). "Overwintering Plants: 4 Easy tips". Retrieved 2023-09-07.
  11. ^ "Scheduling Guidelines for Overwintered Crops | Winter Growing Guide | Johnny's Selected Seeds". www.johnnyseeds.com. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
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