The larvae can survive for two months and longer, the nymphs for a year and the adults for up to three years without a blood meal.
Iphuphu lawo liyakwazi ukuphila isikhathi esingangezinyanga ezimbili noma ngaphezulu, asemakhudlwana awo unyaka wonke kanti asemadala awo iminyaka emithathu ngaphandle kokudla kwawo kokumunca igazi.