2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of the cooperative effort between the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers University (Rutgers University) and the ARS Mosquito and Fly Research Unit (MFRU) is to demonstrate an effective strategy for the area-wide control of the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) while demonstrating the public health importance and socio-economic benefits of the area-wide control approach. The technologies developed, implemented and found effective in New Jersey will be extended to end-users responsible for controlling the Ae. albopictus mosquito across the U.S. Economists from Brandeis University in Massachusetts will guide and direct the studies of the benefits of the area-wide program and have primary responsibility for the economic analyses. Together, these three institutions will utilize their expertise and human resources to collaborate and focus on a mosquito species that causes severe problems for residents of many areas of the U.S. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Brandeis researchers will collect and analyze data related to costs and economic outcomes over the course of the project. They will collect data directly about the publicly financed cost of vector control by interviewing government and project officials and reviewing budgets and other documents. They will manage collection of data from households through community surveys. Finally, they will analyze all data needed for performing economic analyses. Brandeis will contract with a survey research institution to implement two rounds of a household (community) telephone survey using random digit dialing about household expenditures related to mosquito control and outdoor activities that may be impacted by the Asian Tiger mosquito. 3.Progress Report This project is related to Objective 2 of this in-house project: Demonstrate the public health importance and socio-economic benefits of area-wide mosquito control. This is the first year of the Areawide Pest Management (AWPM) Program for the Asian Tiger Mosquito. Experienced economists from Brandeis University were incorporated into the AWPM and an SCA was established with Brandeis. The role of the economists is to conduct studies to define the value and socio economic benefits of area-wide mosquito control programs focused on the Asian Tiger Mosquito in Mercer and Monmouth Counties. ARS staff from NP-104 and the Mosquito and Fly Research Unit met with the economists in New Jersey and participated in field visits to discuss and define the data that they need to gather in community surveys and from other sources to accomplish their tasks. The economists also participated in a teleconference with other program participants and the Annual Advisory Team to describe and discuss the AWPM Program. Initial data collection has begun. Progress was monitored by regular e-mail communications, phone calls and periodic meetings.