Publications 

This year we had four publications in peer reviewed journals.  Two of these publications (1,2) were in collaboration with the Connecticut Agricultural Extension Station (CAES) and will help bolster an initiative of CDC’s Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEVBD), which the CAES is partnered with.  The third publication (3) was in collaboration with the BioGents AG from Regensburg Germany, a leading company within the mosquito control industry specializing in mosquito surveillance equipment and research. Our final publication (4) was  in collaboration with entomologists and mosquito professionals in the state of North Carolina.

1. Host Associations of Culex pipiens: A Two-Year Analysis of Bloodmeal Sources and Implications for Arboviral Transmission in Southeastern Virginia.  Vector Borne Zoonotic Diseases 10-18-2021 The mosquito species Culex Pipiens captured through our routine surveillance were identified as being bloodfed and sent to Connecticut Agricultural Extension Station.  The blood in the mosquitoes were analyzed to see what these mosquitoes had fed on and several inferences were made based on these findings.  This paper helps us understand the biology of Suffolk’s most important disease transmitting mosquito. 
2. Host interactions of Aedes albopictus, an invasive vector of arboviruses, in Virginia, USA. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2-18-2021.  The mosquito species Aedes albopictus, the Tiger Mosquito, captured through our routine surveillance were identified as being bloodfed and sent to Connecticut Agricultural Extension Station.  The blood in the mosquitoes were analyzed to see what these mosquitoes had fed on and several inferences were made based on these findings.  This paper helps us understand the biology of Suffolk’s most important nuisance mosquito as well as the most likely mosquito to transmit new invasive exotic arboviruses.  
3. Evaluation of the New Modular Biogents BG-Pro mosquito trap in comparison to CDC, EVS, BG-Sentinel and BG-Mosquitaire traps. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, Volume 37 Issue 4 :224–241, December 2021.  Various mosquito surveillance traps were evaluated and compared, the data is analyzed in this way helps Suffolk mosquito control decide to introduce new and more efficient trapping techniques.  This information can help us target mosquitoes more effectively 
4. Culex Nigripalpus Distribution Expansion:First Record in Virginia, New County Records in North Carolina and Revised United States Maps. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, Volume 37 Issue 4:188–197, December 2021.  Suffolk Mosquito Control identified the first record of the mosquito species, Culex nigripalpus, in the State of Virginia.  This mosquito is “ the most important disease vectors in Florida” as a vector (transmitter) of Saint Louis Encephalitis and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.  Knowing that it is in our city allows us to keep a watchful eye on its activity to help keep Suffolk safe.