DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/RA57-6Y84
Defense Date
2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Environmental Studies
First Advisor
Kevin Caillouët
Abstract
Current methods of mosquito surveillance estimate general population abundances, but fail to represent the relationship of vector abundance to host density important to determining transmission risk of mosquito-borne pathogens (MBP). We sought to address this limitation by creating a novel mosquito trap that directly sampled mosquitoes seeking to feed on nesting birds. The primary objectives of this study were to (1) assess the efficiency of the Nest Mosquito Trap (NMT) and how this is affected by nest box size. (2) assess whether the NMT affects bird, specifically nest success in Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea), and adult behavior. (3) compare our novel trap to existing methods. (4) profile the ecological parameters associated with bird/ mosquito interactions. Our results allow us to conclude that the NMT is not only an effective means of capturing host-seeking mosquitoes and measuring mosquito/ bird interactions, but does not have a deleterious effect on avian nesting success.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
August 2011