Date of Award

Spring 2026

Rights

Access is available to all users

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS) in Biology

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Krisztian Magori

Second Advisor

Dr. Charlotte Milling

Third Advisor

Dr. Stacy Warren

Abstract

Mosquitoes in the genus Culex are the primary vectors of West Nile virus (WNv) in the United States, with Culex pipiens and Culex tarsalis serving as the dominant species in Spokane. In urban environments, catch basins and other artificial water bodies that collect stagnant and polluted water provide favorable breeding habitats for Culex pipiens. This study aimed to assess the spatial distribution and seasonal dynamics of Culex larvae in Spokane. We examined 303 randomly selected catch basins in the summer of 2025, and at each site we recorded the presence or absence of water, water depth, and mosquito larval density. Of the 303 catch basins surveyed, 205 contained standing water at the time of inspection, and mosquito larvae were observed in 114 of these, indicating larval activity across the city. In addition to larval surveillance, gravid traps were deployed overnight at some of the locations to collect adult mosquitoes. One of the trapping sites had over 100 adult mosquitoes, suggesting localized areas of high mosquito abundance. The spatial distribution of both larval and adult mosquito data was mapped using ArcGIS Pro and overlaid with environmental variables. Water presence and larval occurrence both declined over the sampling season, with the highest values recorded in early summer. Elevation was significantly associated with water presence, while tree canopy cover was the strongest predictor of larval presence. Together, these findings and their spatial representation provide a valuable tool for identifying high-risk areas, guiding targeted mosquito control efforts, and informing future studies on WNv transmission risk in urban environments.

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