Protozoan pathogens of mosquitoes J. Siegel, R. Novak Research is being conducted on the protozoan pathogen Ascogregarina barretti . It is native to Illinois and infects the eastern treehole mosquito, Aedes triseriatus . We are interested in the impact that this pathogen may have on competition between Aedes triseriatus and the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus . A series of experiments to quantify nutritional and crowding factors that influence wing length is under way. This information will be used in turn to evaluate mosquitoes collected from waste-tire dumps.
Researchers hope to compile an index so that tire dumps can be prioritized for cleanup.
Impact of tire removal on mosquitoes J. Siegel, R. Novak Preliminary surveys have been conducted to collect baseline data on the vector mosquito species present in a large tire dump prior to cleanup. Collections will then be made several times each summer to determine if the number of species declines or their percent abundance changes as the tire dump is shredded. We anticipate studying several dumps of varying size in the state in order to quantify the effect of cleanup. W. Ruesink A method of surveying urban land-use zones for mosquito larvae and their habitats, especially used tires, was developed and tested. A preliminary survey was conducted in Champaign and Urbana during the summer of 1994.