ARS | Publication request: Detection, monitoring, and evaluation of spatio-temporal change in mosquito populations

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 12, 2009
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: USDA-ARS scientists seek to implement a sampling and global information technology based system that can be used for mosquito detection and trap deployment, to estimate mosquito species composition and distribution in space and time, and for targeting and evaluation of mosquito controls. Knowledge of mosquito activity patterns in nature and the relationship of such patterns to other variables in the environment is needed to identify trap deployment strategies and to achieve maximum sensitivity to mosquito presence by detection systems. Some of the data required for this purpose already exist and can be placed into a geographic information system; others, such as the extent and activity of mosquito populations in space and time must be acquired. Multiple sampling approaches are required to meet the latter need and to develop unbiased estimators for adult mosquito population density. Information from these studies will enable characterization of mosquito populations in time and space and will lead to the development of spatial-statistical models of mosquito activity. The models will be used to identify and test strategies for deployment of mosquito traps in the field, to forecast mosquito distributions, and to evaluate the effectiveness of mosquito control activity.