A Statewide Survey for Container-Breeding Mosquitoes in Mississippi

Abstract

Container-breeding mosquitoes are important in public health due to outbreaks of Zika, chikungunya, and dengue viruses. This paper documents the distribution of container-breeding mosquito species in Mississippi, with special emphasis on the genus Aedes. Five sites in each of the 82 Mississippi counties were sampled monthly between May 1 and August 31, 2016, and 50,109 mosquitoes in 14 species were collected. The most prevalent and widely distributed species found was Ae. albopictus, being found in all 82 counties, especially during July. A recent invasive, Ae. japonicus, seems to be spreading rapidly in Mississippi since first being discovered in the state in 2011. The most abundant Culex species collected were Cx. quinquefasciatus (found statewide), Cx. salinarius (almost exclusively in the southern portion of the state), and Cx. restuans (mostly central and southern Mississippi). Another relatively recent invasive species, Cx. coronator, was found in 20 counties, predominantly in the southern one-third of the state during late summer. Co-occurrence data of mosquito species found in the artificial containers were also documented and analyzed. Lastly, even though we sampled extensively in 410 sites across Mississippi, no larval Ae. aegypti were found. These data represent the first modern statewide survey of container species in Mississippi, and as such, allows for better public health readiness for emerging diseases and design of more effective vector control programs.

A Survey of Mosquitoes in Southern and Western Missouri

“…Though the absence of Ae. aegypti from this survey does not prove its absence from Missouri, the finding is consistent with Goddard et al (2017), who failed to find Ae. aegypti in an extensive larval survey of Mississippi.…”

Seasonality of Aedes albopictus in North and Central Mississippi

“…albopictus and (potentially) Ae. aegypti (Goddard et al 2017). This current study complements that surveillance effort by documenting the seasonality of the primary container-inhabiting mosquito species in Mississippi, Ae.…”

“…albopictus and were mostly tire piles and cemeteries, although in some places, debris or trash (e.g., bottles, cans, buckets) were also sampled. Sampling at each site, including one oviposition cup placement and larval collections using a dipper, was previously described in a parallel study (Goddard et al 2017). Back at the laboratory, the number of larvae in each collection was counted, then 1-3 larvae from each collection were preserved in vials containing 70% ethanol; the remaining larvae were reared to adults over approximately the next 2 wk.…”

Distribution of Culex coronator in the USA

“…Previously, Cx. coronator had been reported in 28 counties (Varnado et al 2005, Goddard et al 2006, Varnado et al 2012, Varnado and Goddard 2015, Goddard et al 2017. Data from the Mississippi Department of Health's mosquito-borne disease surveillance program resulted in the detection of Cx.…”