Medical Entomology

WOTY_39

Mosquito populations (as collected in New Jersey Light Traps) are shown for the state of Iowa in 2005 and 2006. These traps attract mosquitoes drawn to light, and so measure the number of mosquitoes (male and female) that are active from dusk-dawn. The mosquitoes shown are generally pest species (Aedes species, left axis) or disease carrying species (Culex species, right axis). Traps run in 12 counties in the state, each of which has 2-5 traps. In order to plot results in a manner that facilitates comparison, the total number of mosquitoes trapped throughout the state is divided by the number of traps running x number of nights during which traps ran. The species and numbers of mosquitoes trapped are detailed in the tables that follow. Note that we have had above normal temperatures in October, and that conditions remain conducive to mosquito activity. Even though we have had some brisk mornings, the mosquitoes that are of most concern for disease transmission, Culex mosquitoes, can be drought and cold tolerant and do continue to be active. Therefore, Iowans are encouraged to protect themselves from mosquito-borne disease by practicing mosquito control measures because virus has been detected in mosquitoes trapped during June, July, August, and September of this summer. Please see: http://www.ent.iastate.edu/medent/ for more information on locations of those positive mosquitoes.