Insect Update – Week of June 14th – Dry weather keeps mosquito numbers below 10-year average

Results from the June 14th Monday night surveillance show human-biting mosquito numbers are low district-wide

Every Monday night starting in mid-May through September, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District sets out a variety of mosquito and black fly traps throughout the district and employs a network of sweep net collections done by employees and volunteers. Any insects collected are brought back to our lab on Tuesday to be identified throughout the week with maps published to show current mosquito and black fly activity.

The results from the June 14th surveillance published by the MMCD entomology lab show that adult mosquitoes declined slightly this week, thanks in large part to the dry weather we have been having. According to MMCD Assistant Entomologist, Dr. Scott Larson cattail mosquito (Coquillettidia perturbans) numbers are climbing as expected as we near their typical emergence peak in the next week or two.

The number of Culex mosquitoes being captured all across the District remains high, as this species thrives in warm weather. Culex mosquitoes (Cx. pipiens, Cx. restuans, and Cx. tarsalis are the main species found in Minnesota) are of particular concern because they are the primary vector of West Nile virus (see vector update below). KARE 11 and Fox 9 recently ran stories about the summer mosquito outlook.