ARS | Publication request: Spatial and temporal characterization of mosquito distribution and arbovirus transmission activity in St. Johns County, Florida. St. Augustine, FL.

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 15, 2007
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Global information technology (GIT) (including Global Positioning System [GPS], Geographic Information Systems [GIS], and image analysis) can be used to develop adult mosquito sampling methods and to characterize adult mosquito distributions and disease transmission patterns. At this meeting of vector ecologists, medical entomologists, and operational mosquito control personnel, ARS scientists presented methods and techniques for the use of GIT to (1) identify physical and biological characteristics of mosquito habitats, (2) relate mosquito presence and abundance to habitat characteristics, (3) determine the most effective placement of mosquito traps and sentinel chicken flocks in the environment, and (4) define target areas and buffer zones for mosquito control. GIT-generated data and analyses included monthly contour maps of mosquito distributions, analyses of rainfall and mosquito landing rate activity, and the comparison of adult mosquito responses to light traps with virus seroconversion patterns in sentinel chicken flocks.