Mosquitoes play an important role within the state of North Dakota. Mosquitoes can transmit numerous pathogens and viruses to humans, wildlife, and livestock. It is important to recognize that not all mosquito species can transmit all parasites or viruses. In addition, mosquitoes are integral to food webs that support amphibian, fish, and avian populations.
One of the best methods of disease prevention is education which includes, at the foundational level, knowing which mosquito species are found in an ecosystem (and across the state). Not only is it important to know what species are present, but also when each species is out during the summer and how many mosquitoes are present. An example of when/and to what extent mosquito numbers play a role is evident when investigating the cases of West Nile virus across our state…typically late July-September when Culex tarsalis populations are at their highest.
Our goal is to recognize mosquito populations across the state of North Dakota by collecting, identifying, and monitoring population trends of mosquitoes throughout the summer months. In addition, mosquitoes that are engorged (contain blood), can be used to identify what the different mosquito species tend to feed upon (host preference). As data is collected, the project will also analyze how weather and climate data can influence mosquito populations.
This site will provide information from this project to the public and to other fellow mosquito enthusiasts who may be interested in what mosquitoes are doing in the highly under-researched state of North Dakota. Support for this project comes from ND INBRE. Students and faculty present information collected from this project at the annual ND INBRE conference, regional conferences, national meetings, and at other professional organizations such as the Entomological Society of America conferences.
This project utilizes a few different mosquito collection methods including the following trap types that are typically associated with mosquito research.
Common Name – Six-spotted Tiger Beetle
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cicindelidae
These beetles are the color of small, shiny, emeralds. They have a beautiful, metallic, emerald, green color with six white spots along the side edges of the wing coverings. While emerald colors are typical, some individuals are purple with blue hues instead of green. They also have white, feathery hairs on the upper legs.
At the front of the head are two menacing mandibles that are used to capture and consume food/prey. Six-spotted tiger beetles are active hunters and agile fliers. They will often hide in or on plants using their coloration and camouflage. They have long legs and will easily chase down prey insects. Their diet consists primarily of insects including, moths, ants, crickets, spiders and grasshoppers. Not only are they fast and nimble on the ground, they are extremely swift within the air, often times, catching prey on the wing.
