Environmental variables associated with larval mosquito habitats in South Carolina zoos

From March to August 2008, mosquito larvae were sampled monthly (excluding April) from sixty natural and artificial habitats in the Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia, SC and the Greenville Zoo, Greenville, SC. Larvae were brought back to the lab alive and reared to the fourth instar then identified to species level; pupae were brought back to the lab and identified after emergence. The following environmental variables were recorded at each habitat during each visit: pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, canopy cover (height and extent), water volume, and presence/absence of vegetation. This study was conducted to characterize and document mosquito breeding habitats in the zoos. Additionally, it tested the hypothesis that more widespread and ubiquitous species will inhabit a greater range of habitat types in a heterogeneous environment.