Virtually every author who has addressed the issue of zebra mussel infestation and spread has addressed the issue of temperature. Inappropriate temperature ranges will impact zebra mussel metabolism, physiology, and reproduction. For example, a reported upper temperature limit is 40 ºC. The lower limit for growth is 8 ºC. The threshold temperature for reproduction is approximately 12 ºC.
Values for determining risk for temperature by the Risk Assessment Calculator are as follows:
If the number of months above 12 ºC is...