As described above the number of hibernating larvae increases gradually in the later summer generations, although the climatic conditions at this time of the year provide no cause for hibernation.
Parasite transmission to the definitive hosts only occurs at the times when the ants are not hibernating.
Because the hibernating mammal arouses periodically from torpor throughout the hibernation season, the ability to function at euthermic temperatures must be maintained continuously.
Nevertheless, the survival of the metacercariae in hibernating ants plays an important role in the epidemiology of dicrocoeliosis.
The percentage of hibernating larvae was especially high in pot no. 218 (21 larvae out of 52).
The hibernating larvae do not feed and their intestine is usually quite empty.
Only 14 sandflies hatched and 94 larvae remained hibernating.
The global rates of protein synthesis have been determined to be profoundly reduced in hibernating animals.
