Insect Update – Week of July 6th – Cattail mosquito “peak” is nowhere to be found
July 12, 2021
PRESS RELEASE: Mosquitoes collected in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Dakota counties test positive for West Nile virus
July 26, 2021
Results from the July 12th Monday night surveillance show slight increase, but still below average
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.
Last week's mosquito samples were collected before the rain came mid-week, so there is a chance we will begin seeing an increase after several parts of the metro saw over an inch of rain. However, we remain well below normal as we head into mid-July which is usually near the peak of mosquito season in Minnesota. According to Dr. Scott Larson of the MMCD entomology lab: "There were more mosquitoes captured this week, but overall, compared to other years, there were still relatively few mosquitoes captured. There were only 27 CO2 traps last week with over 50 mosquitoes, but this week we had 44 traps with over 50 mosquitoes. However, we are still seeing a decent number of Culex species in the gravid trap network."
When you compare the most recent map of human-biting mosquitoes (on the left) with the same week last year (on the right) you notice how different a year it's been.
VECTOR UPDATE: More West Nile vectors, none have tested positive
There have been plenty of Culex mosquitoes out this year, but none have tested positive for West Nile virus yet. The Culex species is the primary vector of WNV in our part of the country and despite overall mosquito numbers being low, we continue to collect Culex in gravid traps and at other sites. MMCD Vector Ecologist Kirk Johnson and his team tested 43 more pools on Friday, bringing the season total to 333 pools tested and all have come back negative.
MMCD will notify the public via our website and Twitter if we find a positive sample in the coming weeks.
Learn how MMCD conducts RAMP tests for West Nile virus.
See MMCD at Your Local County Fair!
Events are back this year and we are thrilled to be participating once again in various parades and community events. Starting this week, MMCD will be at County Fairs in your area including the Anoka County Fair this week and the Scott County Fair next week! View our events page to learn where MMCD will be!
For the latest updates on mosquito control, disease activity, and planned treatments, follow MMCD on Twitter or Facebook.
