Entomology, Department of
Date of this Version
2020
Document Type
Thesis
Citation
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Entomology Online Masters Program Final Project. Lincoln, Nebraska.
Abstract
Is a Mosquito Just a Mosquito? -- Mosquitoes are all over the Grand Valley, but most people think that a mosquito is just a mosquito. They don't stop to consider that there are many different species here in the Grand Valley. When and where you are getting attacked by them, can determine what type of mosquito it is. There are many different species of mosquitoes here that can vary from Fruita, to Grand Junction, and even into Palisade. There are over twenty-five different species here in our valley, and there are even more on the Grand Mesa and Glade Park. Altitude has a huge impact on where each type lives. Each species of mosquito has different habitats and behaviors as well. Some live and breed down by the river, and others prefer to grow and thrive in your backyard. When people think of the common times, they get bit, like hiking or fishing for example, they think of the large swarms of mosquitoes that attack them during these times. Thankfully, these mosquitoes usually do not carry any human diseases. These are just the annoyance mosquitoes that hatch off down by the rivers or in the fields. The most important mosquitoes here in Grand Junction are the ones that can spread West Nile Virus (WNV). There are only three common species here that are the primary carriers of the disease. These are usually the mosquitoes that sneak into your house, to bite you in the middle of the night. Occasionally, we even get some mosquitoes from other states that are transported here accidentally. They can arrive on large semi-trucks or even on potted plants that get brought into the home improvement stores. This booklet will help you to tell the difference between the nuisance mosquitoes and the ones that are of medical significance.
Comments
Copyright 2020 Carter Synhorst