Mosquito resting behavior, microclimates, and sugar feeding.

Adult mosquitoes are relatively fragile, weak flying insects that are vulnerable to desiccation, heat stress, and death when weather conditions get too hot or dry. Additionally, mosquitoes must expend energy while searching for blood hosts, mates, or sites to lay their eggs. Consequently, they rely on vegetation and other structures to provide shady microclimates to rest and provide carbohydrates and water.

Little is know, however, about exactly where mosquitoes rest and if they are choosy about it. Our lab is working on expanding our knowledge of mosquito resting behavior, microclimate use, and plant preferences.

As of fall 2022, we have learned that mosquitoes are hard to spot in vegetation but dusting them with fluorescent powder and getting out the black light is a blast!