Tree holes can be found in
many different tree species . These entrances serve as
prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes by providing a
nesting habitat that collects both water and nutrients.
Since mosquito eggs tend to hatch in low oxygen
environments tree holes can facilitate this hatching by
collecting rain water that runs down the tree, and then
sustain this level since evaporation will take place much
slower in the sheltered environment. In addition to being
great areas for eggs to hatch in, treeholes also serve to
accommodate the mosquito larvae once the eggs hatch. The
mosquito larvae are suspension feeders and hang from the
surface of the water filtering nutrients out which get
trapped within the tree hole. The area also serves to
protect the eggs and larvae from predators during
development.
Note that most tree holes are
found on the ground at the base of the tree, but it is also
common to find them in the nook where two large branches of
the tree merge at the base. It is also possible to find
them farther up on the tree within a protruding knot.
Here are some examples of what
common tree holes may look like when you encounter them in
the wild.