A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology by researchers at Ohio State University highlights the impact of artificial light on mosquito behavior, particularly the Northern house mosquito (Culex pipiens). Traditionally, autumn signals these mosquitoes to enter a dormant state called diapause as daylight decreases. However, the study found that common outdoor lights can disrupt this natural cycle, causing mosquitoes to remain active longer. The researchers conducted experiments in Columbus, Ohio, placing mosquito enclosures in both lit and dark areas. They discovered that light exposure inhibited dormancy more effectively than urban warming. While all mosquitoes in dark cages entered dormancy by October, those in lit cages continued to exhibit summer-like behaviors, including increased blood-feeding and egg-laying into late autumn. This suggests that artificial light not only extends the active season for mosquitoes but also raises the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in urban areas, particularly as they carry pathogens like the West Nile virus.