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Brian Byrd, WCU assistant professor of environmental health, said he is finding record numbers of the mosquito Aedes trivittatus, a native species that is generally uncommon for this time of year and that, although not a major transmitter of disease, has been found to carry the West Nile virus.
Byrd attributes the upsurge in the population of this type of mosquito to the long spell of dry weather followed by extensive rains in some sections of WNC.
Common problem mosquitoes in the mountains are of species that lay their eggs in artificial containers, such as abandoned tires, buckets, cans and children’s toys. “If you keep your yard neat and tidy and free of water-holding containers, you typically don’t have to worry about mosquitoes,” said Byrd.
Aedes trivittatus, however, lays its eggs in the wet soil, and recent rainfall has triggered a hatch of the species. “You may have noticed more mosquitoes bothering you during the last week, especially at dusk,” he said. “The mosquito Aedes trivittatus can be distinguished from common nuisance mosquitoes because it lacks stripes on its legs and has two conspicuous pale yellowish stripes along its thorax.”
This mosquito is generally uncommon in the mountains. “It had never been found or reported in Haywood County until early September, although it has been found previously in Jackson County and elsewhere in Western North Carolina” Byrd said. This species accounted for almost 80 percent of the biting mosquitoes recently collected in areas around Haywood County.
Byrd said residents can take steps to protect themselves against the pests. “You can avoid contact with these mosquitoes by limiting your outdoor time, especially at dusk,” he said. “Wear long sleeves and pants, and use a repellent approved by the Centers for Disease Control.” For more information about recommended repellents, visit the Web site www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm.
For more information about WCU’s environmental health sciences program, contact Burt Ogle, associate professor and environmental health sciences program director, by phone at (828) 227-3517 or via e-mail at bogle@email.wcu.edu.
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Last modified: Monday, Sept. 15, 2008