Comparison of mosquito communities trapped at rural livestock holding locations

The biology of the female mosquito enables this insect to be one of the most devastating disease vectors worldwide. Impacts of mosquito-borne diseases are felt among human populations as well as livestock populations. Some of these diseases include Fowl Pox, Rift Valley Fever, Japanese Encephalitis and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. While many environmental factors contribute to the mosquito habitat, similar habitats often yield mosquito communities that are very different from each other. This study attempts to examine the relationship between host prevalence and the structure of the mosquito community at a particular location. During the summer of 2010, a survey of adult mosquitoes was conducted in central Missouri at intermediate and rural-residence farms. CDC miniature light traps were set once a week at locations that maintained poultry, and at locations that maintained pigs. Nineteen mosquito species were collected among both host collection sites. Eight of these were found to be common to both hosts. Statistical analysis was run comparing quantities of mosquitoes per common species between host treatments. There were no significant differences in numbers of common mosquito species collected between host treatments.