Larvae may be predaceous or feed on organic debris and most need to be near the water surface to breathe. Overwintering can occur in any stage depending on the species. One generation per year is the rule for the majority of Maine species except for salt marsh species or others in wet seasons. Adult mosquitoes may persist for many weeks or even several months, but the populations of all except salt marsh species usually start to decrease during hot and dry weather conditions later in the summer. Adults do move around in short flights and may on rare occasions move long distances of up to a few miles.
Mosquitoes are mostly active in the evening or on overcast days.
During the day they remain resting on vegetation, taking flight only when a suitable host passes by. June is generally considered the month for woodland mosquitoes except in wet years when the season may be prolonged. Mosquitoes which appear briefly in the fall or spring and occasionally during the winter are females of overwintering species. The distribution and seasonality of Maine species is currently being studied. The majority of our Maine mosquito species fall in this category and most overwinter as eggs or larvae with only a single brood or hatch each year.