Mosquito Vector Biology

Culex quinguefasciatus, the southern house mosquito, is of major epidemiological importance in the transmission of arbovirus encephalitis.  St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) has occurred in Houston more frequently than in any other geographical area of Texas.  Mosquitoes are collected on a regular basis to quantify the dynamics of mosquito vector populations and virus inflection rates.  The objectives for the near future are to study the dynamics of adult dispersal, larval development, and oviposition of Culex quinquefasciatus and other SLE mosquito vectors under field conditions.  The significance of elucidating these phenomena is that they should provide an accurate target for effecting vector control.  Field investigations are enhanced through voluntary cooperation and collaboration between UHD scientists, Texas mosquito control agencies, and the Texas Department of Health.