E-52
DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY
public health insects

MOSQUITO MANAGEMENT BY TRAINED PERSONNEL
Ralph E. Williams, Extension Entomologist;
Michael J. Sinsko, Public Health Entomologist, Indiana State Board of Health; and Gary W. Bennett, Extension Entomologist

Fifty-two species of mosquitoes occur in Indiana. Many may cause great annoyance by their biting activity. However, certain species of the genera Culex and edes are of great concern at the present time because of their ability to transmit a virus which causes human encephalitis. There are at least five such viruses which have caused diseases of epidemic proportion in some parts of ie U.S. in past years. In 1975 a strain of virus produced an epidemic of St. Louis Encephalitis in Indiana causing illness and death in several counties, this virus is transmitted from birds to humans by the mosquito. A limited number of mosquitoes can transmit the virus, and prime concern is centered on species of Culex mosquitoes.
Steps that can be taken to protect individuals and their homes are described in the Cooperative Extension service publications E-204, "Mosquito-- Nuisance and Disease Carrier," and E-26, Mosquito Control In and Around the home." But steps taken by individual homeowners will not completely eradicate the problem. To be effective, mosquito management should be undertaken on an rea-wide basis by trained personnel.

MOSQUITO BREEDING AND DEVELOPMENT
Mosquitoes always develop in water, but the type of breeding place varies with the species. Common breeding places are flood waters, woodland pools, and lowly-moving streams and ditches, particularly if these moving waters are
polluted. They also develop in tree cavities, rain barrels, fish ponds, house gutters, downspouts, bird baths, old tires, tin cans, and catch basins-- in other words, any container that holds water.

Mosquitoes lay eggs on the surface of water or in low places where water is likely to accumulate. The eggs may hatch in less than three days or when flooding occurs. The larvae, commonly called "wiggle-tails," mature in seven to ten days and change into a pupa or "tumbler" stage. Two or three days later, adult mosquitoes emerge. After taking a blood meal, each female lays 100 to 200 or more eggs. The entire life cycle, depending upon temperature, may be completed in as few as ten days.

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47907