CAGE TRIALS Salt Marsh Mosquitoes
The salt marsh mosquito, Aedes taeniorhynchus , is a significant nuisance species in Charlotte County. It is one of the few species capable of laying its eggs in the soil of low-lying areas, where they can remain dormant until the soil becomes flooded. Upon inundation, the eggs hatch synchronously, and the larvae can develop into adults in as little as one week. Given ongoing challenges with this species, it is essential to rotate control products to prevent the development of resistance. Cage trials serve as an effective method for evaluating strategies by placing wild mosquitoes in cages at varying distances from a spray truck. The slide spinners atop each pole collect airborne droplets that are further analyzed, and mosquito mortality is monitored over time. Mortality within a reasonable timeframe indicates the chemical's effectiveness. Due to unexpected environmental conditions this year, A edes taeniorhynchus populations declined more rapidly than anticipated. To counter this, specialists artificially flooded a known mosquito habitat, leading to the successful discovery of thousands of larvae a few days later. This finding is remarkable, as it underscores how a small area can yield such a large population. The strategy succeeded, allowing larvae to be reared in an environmental chamber, which is expected to provide enough adults for additional cage trials in the near future.
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