Abstract
A study of factors that influence mosquito oviposition and
aquatic ecology in Tanyard Creek, an urban stream in
Atlanta, GA that receives combined storm and waste water discharge,
was conducted in 2008 and 2009. The effects of combined sewage
overflows (CSOs) on Culex
quinquefasciatus activity were determined by directly manipulating
nutrient density in CSO habitats. Nutrient enrichment of the
aquatic habitats was positively correlated with oviposition.
Secondly, availability of oviposition habitats to conspecific
(members of the same species) use was controlled to study the
effects of conspecific presence on Culex oviposition. Conspecific
presence was an important deterrent to oviposition in June. There
may not have been enough oviposition activity in the fall and
spring to accurately quantify conspecific effects. Next,
nutrient dynamics in isolated pools (container habitats) and
free-flowing body (CSO stream) were compared. Ammonia and nitrate,
known to be oviposition attractants, accumulated in higher
quantities in isolated pools relative to the stream. Flushing of
the stream following precipitation events expectedly washed out
nutrient densities. Lastly, weather was assessed throughout the
study to quantify the effects of temperature and precipitation on
oviposition. Temperature and time of year were clear and consistent
predictors of egg raft abundance for all treatments in this
experiment. It is unclear whether rainfall was important by itself,
but in combination with other factors, the interaction with
precipitation was significant. Culex quinquefasciatus is the main
vector for West Nile Virus in the southeastern United States, and
thus understanding mosquito dynamics can lead to better
understanding of urban WNV transmission.
Table of Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………..………1
Methods……………………………………………………………………………..……..7
Results……………………………………………………………………………….….....11
Discussion…………………………………………………………………………..……..14
References………………………………………………………………………..………..21
Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………..23
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