A survey of adult and larval mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) from the Chequamegon Moraine Outwash Plain in Washburn County, Wisconsin

Wisconsin has over 50 different species of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), due to its varied habitats and its abundance of lakes, rivers, and wetlands. A large scale study of mosquitoes of northern Wisconsin was published in 1968, but most recent studies have been restricted to certain counties in Central and Southern Wisconsin and mostly focused on mosquitoes of vector concern. Changes in habitat throughout the state, northward migration of species into Wisconsin, and introduction of new species from other countries are of concern because these events can result in changes in species complexes, competition of immigrants with native mosquitoes, and increases in disease vectors. These concerns indicate the need for more current assessment of the mosquitoes of Wisconsin and their geographical and seasonal distribution. A long-term study of the mosquito species found in the 27 ecoregions of Wisconsin that represent Wisconsin’s diverse ecological and geological landscape was launched in 2010. For each ecoregion, four habitats that are representative of that ecoregion were selected as sample sites. In 2012, the Chequamegon Moraine and Outwash Plain ecoregion in Washburn County of northeastern Wisconsin was chosen for survey. The following four habitats were selected for sampling: 1) sphagnum bog, 2) dry upland forest, 3) lowland forest-beaver pond junction, and 4) prairie. Between June - September 2012, adult female mosquitoes were collected from these four habitats once every two weeks using battery-operated CDC light traps baited with dry ice. Ponds, tree holes, and pitcher plants, Sarracenia purpurea L., in these habitats were also sampled for the presence of larvae. Data from this survey will be presented.