2013 MOSQUITO REPORT: WEEK 33
Report based on data collected from traps deployed the week of August 11-17, 2013. Report prepared by Chan Suom, M.S., Dave Lawson, and Nate Boonisar.
1. CURRENT MOSQUITO ACTIVITY/TREND
CDC Light Traps:
Host-seeking mosquitoes collected in our CDC light traps have gone up from the last couple of weeks and are above average for most towns compared to the historical average. Avon and Milton reported lower than average mosquito activity. The following towns collected a higher than average number of mosquitoes: Canton, Dedham, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Plainville, Quincy, Randolph, Walpole, Westwood, and Weymouth.
Gravid Traps:
Gravid traps continue to show an average number of mosquitoes throughout Norfolk County for the week. Only Franklin collected more than the historical average for this time of the season.
2. CURRENT PREDOMINANT SPECIES
CDC Light Traps:
The most abundant mosquito species this week are Psorophora ferox, Culex pipiens/restuans, Aedes vexans, and locally abundant Culiseta melanura. It appears as if this is the result of the past week’s torrential rain event (Friday, August 9th) that has attributed to the emergence of such flood species.
Gravid Traps:
Culex pipiens/restuans are predominant in these traps and their overall population is average for this time of the season.
3. COMPARISON TO PREVIOUS SEASON
The overall mosquito population for host-seeking mosquitoes in CDC light traps is average to above avergae compared to the historical averages for each town. Gravid collections are average. Some of our towns’ collections indicate the result of last week’s rain event by the fresh and abundant emergence of Psorophora ferox and Aedes vexans.
4. WEATHER SUMMARY
Temperatures this week averaged below normal with low humidity. No rain fell in the district during the entire period; however, monthly rain remains above normal due to the heavy rains from the previous week.
Total weekly rainfall: 0.00 inches (-0.76 in.)
Total Monthly rainfall: 2.45 inches (+0.65 in.)
Total Yearly rainfall: 29.69 inches (+3.55 in.)
5. NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR SERVICE
We received 535 service requests this week, with a total of 9,526 service requests for the year.
6. MCP/COMMISSION RESPONSE
The NCMCD continues to respond to requests for mosquito control, primarily with ULV applications but also with limited ground larvicide applications. Catch Basin treatments are ending this week.