Seasonality and ecology of the northern house mosquito in Calgary

Climate change is changing the distribution of mosquitoes, allowing them to become established in new places, potentially resulting in increased risk of mosquito-borne disease. The recent arrival of the invasive northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens, to Alberta is one such example. This mosquito, a major pest species found natively in Europe, is considered among the most important mosquitoes for the transmission of West Nile virus in North America. This species is highly urban and thrives in human-altered environments where it utilizes artificial containers to breed and warm structures to survive cold temperatures. To understand the risk the introduction of this species poses in a new environment, it is important to investigate its ecology within an Albertan context. The objective of this project is to investigate the seasonality of this mosquito’s activity, what larval habitats it uses, and which traps are most effective for surveillance of this species. The results of this project will help guide future monitoring and control efforts by the City of Calgary, aiming to provide a better understanding of the biology of the northern house mosquito in Calgary, and ultimately building resilience against invasive species in the future by informing improved monitoring.

Faculty Supervisor:

John Soghigian

Student:

Partner:

City of Calgary

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Public administration; Utilities

University:

University of Calgary

Program: