What organism is a major disease carrier in the Harris county area?

Mosquitoes

What environmental factors may influence mosquitoes activities?

Where do you find this information?

Which data would be the most useful to your study?

Is the data exactly as you need it, or might you have to select or process the data?

A Quantitative Two-Year Mosquito Study at Three Northern Harris County Residential Sites

Purpose To determine the population dynamics at residential sites in northern Harris County. Most testing is done at non-residential sites but most complaints come from residential sites. Little is known of the area studied. Hopefully this study will help Harris County Mosquito Control in their pursuits.

Materials & Methods A CDC Light Trap was placed in 3 residential sites (2, 3, & 5) Traps were loaned by Harris County Mosquito Control Batteries were provided by HCMC Dry ice was provided by North Harris College

Materials & Methods

Materials & Methods Collections made Sundays and Wednesdays each week October 1, 2000 till October 31, 2002 (Site 5 for only 1 year) Approx. 5 pm till 7 am

Materials & Methods Collections were frozen for 4+ hours Insects were categorized as Gnats, Female mosquitoes, Male mosquitoes, and others Results were recorded Mosquitoes were pinned on points and placed in insect storage boxes Females were attempted to be ID by students

Sites 2 5 3

Site 3 This site is a new subdivision from the 1990s The site is surrounded by undeveloped natural areas Open fields and wooded areas are located within half a mile A new subdivision was added a mile from this site (puddles & low drainage)

Site 3

Site 3

Weather Data Both Daily and Hourly Data was collected by NOAA taken at IAH (Bush Intercontinental Airport) Hourly Data was limited to collection days & times (4:53 pm  7:53 am) Temperature Humidity (no avg. - access program needed) Wind Speed Precipitation (Max, Min, & Avg.)

Results

Use the chart tool to graph data. Using the data given in the excel file from site 3, what trends do use notice? Use the chart tool to graph data.

Population Peaks

Population Peaks

Weather Data Analysis Site 3 was used Closest to the IAH – fewest weather variations Largest numbers of mosquitoes 25 Collections of 50 or more mosquitoes were compared (significant #) Temperature Humidity Wind Speed Precipitation

Temperature

Humidity

Wind Speed

Precipitation

Conclusion Temperature Humidity Maximum – most > 700 F Minimum – All > 500 F Average – Most > 600 F Humidity Maximum – Most @ 100% / All > 90% Minimum – Almost all > 40% - Most > 50% Average – Most > 80% / Many > 90%

Conclusion Wind speed Total Precipitation – Most < 0.05 inches Maximum – All < 15 mph - Most < 10 mph Minimum – Most @ 0 mph / None > 6 mph Average – All < 8.0 mph / Most < 6.0 mph Total Precipitation – Most < 0.05 inches

Next Analyze weather data more closely Study with weather station on location Studies of NHC campus for better mosquito control locally Species studies Time studies Bird study

Thanks to: Dr. David Sam Tom Hobbs Cris Neuman Brenda Wellmeyer Johann Barretta Roger Dikdan Tom Hobbs Roy Kulland Aline Palini Cris Neuman Miquel Truilo Brenda Wellmeyer Jason Potts