The seasonality and community composition of mosquitos at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Magori
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
May 2025
End Date
May 2025
Location
PUB 317
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Biology
Abstract
Mosquitoes play a crucial role in ecosystems, serving as pollinators and a vital food source for wildlife, yet they also pose significant health risks by transmitting diseases such as West Nile Virus and malaria. Despite their importance, mosquito populations in the Pacific Northwest, particularly eastern Washington, remain relatively unexplored. This preliminary research aims to characterize mosquito species, assess their seasonal patterns, and explore how environmental factors influence mosquito populations at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR).
From 2017 through 2024, mosquitoes were regularly collected using carbon dioxide-baited traps placed at two distinct sites within the refuge. Preliminary results from this ongoing study have identified 20 mosquito species across five genera. Initial data suggest mosquito abundance peaks during midsummer, correlating closely with increased temperatures and rainfall. Additionally, each mosquito species exhibits distinct seasonal patterns, indicating that climate strongly influences their population dynamics.
We hypothesize that yearly variation in mosquito abundance and community structure at TNWR is significantly shaped by climatic factors, especially temperature fluctuations and precipitation events.
Understanding these dynamics is essential for enhancing public health measures by predicting periods of higher disease transmission risk. Additionally, this knowledge contributes to conservation efforts by clarifying mosquitoes' roles in local ecosystems. As data collection continues, the insights gained will offer a clearer understanding of mosquito ecology in this understudied region, providing valuable guidance for future disease management and ecological preservation.
Recommended Citation
Becerra, Jonathan, "The seasonality and community composition of mosquitos at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge" (2025). 2025 Symposium. 10.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2025/op_2025/o1_2025/10
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
The seasonality and community composition of mosquitos at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
PUB 317
Mosquitoes play a crucial role in ecosystems, serving as pollinators and a vital food source for wildlife, yet they also pose significant health risks by transmitting diseases such as West Nile Virus and malaria. Despite their importance, mosquito populations in the Pacific Northwest, particularly eastern Washington, remain relatively unexplored. This preliminary research aims to characterize mosquito species, assess their seasonal patterns, and explore how environmental factors influence mosquito populations at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge (TNWR).
From 2017 through 2024, mosquitoes were regularly collected using carbon dioxide-baited traps placed at two distinct sites within the refuge. Preliminary results from this ongoing study have identified 20 mosquito species across five genera. Initial data suggest mosquito abundance peaks during midsummer, correlating closely with increased temperatures and rainfall. Additionally, each mosquito species exhibits distinct seasonal patterns, indicating that climate strongly influences their population dynamics.
We hypothesize that yearly variation in mosquito abundance and community structure at TNWR is significantly shaped by climatic factors, especially temperature fluctuations and precipitation events.
Understanding these dynamics is essential for enhancing public health measures by predicting periods of higher disease transmission risk. Additionally, this knowledge contributes to conservation efforts by clarifying mosquitoes' roles in local ecosystems. As data collection continues, the insights gained will offer a clearer understanding of mosquito ecology in this understudied region, providing valuable guidance for future disease management and ecological preservation.
