Determining Suburban Adult Mosquito Diversity through Various Sampling Techniques

Mosquitoes are obligate developmental vectors of Dirofilaria immitis (the causative agent of dog heartworm disease) to dogs and other wild canids.  Worldwide over 70 species of mosquito are known to be vectors.  Dog heartworm transmission has been shown to be endemic in North America, with high transmission rates in the Southeastern USA.

            We decided to evaluate what mosquitoes were present from 7 field sites, suburban backyards (4) and dog kennel facilities (3) near Gainesville, Florida. Weekly field collections were completed for two years using various methods at each site. Three active trapping methods were utilized; sweep-netting, a large mechanical aspirator, and a small mechanical aspirator. After active methods, a CDC miniature light trap was placed at each site and removed the following day. 

            Trapping methods were conducted on one section of each site and rotated weekly around the field site. All mosquitoes were identified to species in the laboratory. Species abundance as well as trap efficiency will be discussed with an emphasis on possible vectors of dog heartworm disease.