Project summary:

West Nile virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne disease associated with a high incidence of mortality, was first introduced into North America in 1999 when more than 60 documented cases of the disease (including 7 deaths) were observed in the New York City (NYC) area. Research has determined that in addition to the primary vector mosquito - Culex pipiens, several mosquito species common to the NY area also harbor the virus. By 2000, birds testing positive for WNV had been found as far north as Clinton County, NY; as far west as Erie County, PA and as far south as North Carolina.

The public annually spends vast numbers of recreational hours in national park sites in and adjacent to NYC; hence, the potential for a public health threat resulting from WNV is conceivable. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to collect baseline data; during the height of mosquito season, on the distribution and abundance of each mosquito species, including WNV infection incidence, in 16 national park sites in the Northeast and National Capitol regions.

In a collaborative effort between the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service, the University of Rhode Island and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a variety of mosquito habitat types will be evaluated within each park. Larval specimens will be collected using standard dippers and pipettes from standing water sources. Adult mosquitoes will be collected using landing samples and 2 types of traps. All adult specimens will be frozen on dry ice, identified to species, counted and select specimens will be analyzed for WNV infection.

Student Involvement

Ginsberg, H. Research in national parks. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center FY2001 Annual Science Meeting. January 2001. Columbia, MD.

Ginsberg, H. Ecology and management of vector-borne pathogens on Fire Island. Fire Island National Seashore Fourth Biennial Science Conference. March 2003. Brookhaven National Lab, Upton, NY.

Lussier, C. 2003. Distribution and comparative sampling of mosquitoes in national park units in the northeastern United States. Master's Thesis. Department of Plant Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI.

To view a short video clip of a Discovery Channel episode filmed during a research field trip for this project, click here or go to http://www.news.uri.edu/videos/ and click on "Discovery swats at mosquito virus" at the bottom of the page.