background information and more resources
Background
Mosquitoes go through four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs are laid in or near water surfaces. Once hatched, the mosquito larvae live in the water and come to the surface to breathe through a siphon tube. The mosquito larvae feed on microorganisms and organic matter found in the water. They molt into their pupal stage, which is their non-feeding stage when they change into an adult mosquito. The adult mosquitoes then emerge from the water to carry out the rest of their lives as terrestrial flying insects. Mosquitoes play an integral role in the spread of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, West Nile fever, and encephalitis.
Data Sampling & Compilation
Sampling Location: Ephemeral and semi-permanent ponds on the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies property in Millbrook, NY. Ephemeral pools are wet for 1-2 weeks at a time. Semi-permanent pools generally persist most of the season.
Data Provided For Use:
- Mosquito larval and adult emergence data
- Ephemeral pond and semi-permanent pond data
- Date of sample collection
- Presence of amphibians (adults or larvae/tadpoles) at the ponds
- Wetness of ponds (wet or dry)
- Larval mosquito counts (total and by species)
- Larval mosquito richness (# of genera)
- Larvae per square meter of pond
- Adult insect emergence counts (all species were identified to lowest taxonomic level possible - mosquito species are all under Culicidae)
Data Source: Shannon LaDeau (Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies)