ARS | Publication request: Diel activity patterns of major species of adult mosquitoes and ULV spraying impacts in St. John's County, Florida

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

Technical Abstract: Knowledge of daily activity patterns in adult mosquitoes can be used to determine the best time to apply adulticides for mosquito control. Many factors influence these activity patterns, including migration, hormonal cycles in the mosquito, hunger, and the need to lay eggs. In this study, FL scientists from the Anastasia Mosquito Control District in St. Augustine and the ARS in Gainesville used mechanical traps placed in open fields and amongst vegetation to determine the times of mosquito activity and the best time(s) for the spray application of adulticides. In the open field sites, most flight activity was during a 4-5 hour period before and shortly after sunset. In vegetation, adult mosquitoes were active for longer times, sometimes continuously. Spraying before peak mosquito flight activity in open fields and at the same time in vegetation caused the number of mosquitoes collected in traps in both habitats to decrease. In some cases, however, particularly in the vegetated sites, spray application appeared to extend the time of mosquito flight activity by several hours. The results of the study showed that adult mosquito populations can be reduced by careful timing of insecticide application but that behavioral or other differences in some members of the population prevent contact with the insecticide.