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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #174728

Title: Mosquito population surveillance techniques

Author
item Kline, Daniel - Dan

Submitted to: Technical Bulletin of the Florida Mosquito Control Association
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/30/2005
Publication Date: 1/1/2006
Citation: Kline, D.L. 2006. Mosquito population surveillance techniques. Technical Bulletin of the Florida Mosquito Control Association. 7:2-8.

Interpretive Summary: Scientists from the USDA, ARS, Center for Medical, Agriculture and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, FL, participated in the Arbovirus Surveillance and Mosquito control Workshop, sponsored by Anastasia Mosquito Control District, St. Augustine, FL. This paper summarizes the basic information provided to the participants (mostly mosquito control workers) on methods of collecting all the life stages of mosquitoes. Several points of emphasis were that a combination of collecting methods should be used, these methods should be used in a consistent way through time and that trap placement was very important. Proper use of these collection methods will provide useful information for detection and control of mosquito populations.

Technical Abstract: Population surveillance is an essential component of successful mosquito management programs, and techniques are available for all life stages. Ovitraps to measure egg-laying are described for both container breeding and permanent water breeding species. A pint dipper is the standard procedure for sampling larvae and pupae. Adult surveillance techniques include citizen's complaints, landing rate/biting counts, light traps and resting boxes. Effective surveillance programs utilize a combination of standard techniques on a consistent basis.