Seasonal activity of mosquitoes associated with cattle facilities in southern Alberta

Seventeen mosquito species were collected at eight cattle facilities in southern Alberta. Five species, Culiseta inornata, Aedes dorsalis, Culex tarsalis, Aedes vexans, and Aedes campestris, accounted for 93.6% of the mosquitoes collected. Trap indices reached 41, 33, 21, 10, and 8 females/trap night for each species respectively. Logistic regression was used to determine the timing of the onset of activity and temperature thresholds for flight. Culiseta inornata occurred earliest in the season, and for 130 days. Aedes dorsalis was active for ca. 100 days, and the other three species were active for ca. 80 days. Temperature thresholds for activity were lowest for Cs. inornata, greatest for Cx. tarsalis, and intermediate for the remaining species.