Raw data on cold tolerance and life-stage survival of Culicoides nubeculosus

This dataset contains experimental measurements of cold tolerance across all developmental stages of the biting midge Culicoides nubeculosus, a key laboratory model species and an important vector of veterinary pathogens in temperate regions. Eggs, first-instar larvae, fourth-instar larvae, pupae, and adults were exposed to acute (1 hour) and extended (6 and 24 hours) cold treatments ranging from −1 °C to −18 °C.For each life stage and temperature–duration combination, survival outcomes were recorded, alongside downstream developmental metrics including adult emergence, and adult wing size. These measurements capture both lethal and sublethal effects of cold exposure, allowing assessment of stage-specific thermal limits and carry-over effects across the life cycle.The data provide the first comprehensive,] assessment of cold tolerance in C. nubeculosus and offer mechanistic insight into how winter conditions may shape midge phenology, population persistence, and vector availability in temperate climates. This dataset can support comparative studies of insect cold tolerance, parameterisation of vector population models, and assessments of seasonal risk for arbovirus transmission.