How Climate Change Is Lengthening Korea’s Mosquito Season: What You Need to Know

For generations, Koreans relied on the saying, “After Cheoseo, mosquitoes lose their bite.” Traditionally, this marked a shift to cooler autumn days. But that’s changing.

Recent research shows that in Korea, mosquito activity peaks later, extending well into autumn due to climate change. Earlier this year, the Seoul Research Institute of Health and Environment reported more mosquitoes spotted in fall than summer.

From April to November, 16,997 mosquitoes were caught in light traps across Seoul. Strikingly, over half—54.3%—were found in fall, with October alone housing more than double the mosquitoes counted in July.

This trend has emerged consistently in recent years. Between 2015 and 2019, mosquitoes usually peaked in July or August. However, since 2020, this peak has shifted to September, October, or even November, with a notable spike in early November 2022.

Experts attribute this shift to rising summer temperatures affecting mosquito behavior. Mosquitoes thrive best at around 26 to 27 degrees Celsius. Extreme heat speeds up their metabolism and shortens their lifespan. When temperatures hit 33 degrees Celsius, mosquitoes may survive for only a week. Lee Dong-kyu, a professor of environmental health at Kosin University, explains, “At very high temperatures, mosquitoes conserve energy and tend to stay stationary.”

Interestingly, heavy rains and floods—issues worsened by climate change—are washing away larvae, damaging mosquito breeding grounds during summer. This leaves cooler autumn conditions as more suitable for reproduction and feeding.

A representative from the Seoul Research Institute noted, “Mosquitoes are appearing less in summer and increasing as the weather cools. We expect a similar occurrence as last year.”

This pattern isn’t just a local phenomenon. A study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) highlights that changing climates are affecting insect life cycles globally. In many regions, warmer nights are leading to longer growing seasons, impacting everything from crop yields to pest populations.

As we adapt to these changes, understanding mosquito behavior becomes crucial, especially for public health. The continuing rise in mosquito populations in unusual seasons could lead to increased transmission of diseases like Zika and West Nile virus.

In summary, the landscape for mosquitoes in Korea is shifting. With changing climates, the old adage may no longer apply, reminding us that nature is always adapting.

For more detailed information on the impact of climate change on insect behavior, you can check out the NOAA’s findings here.

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