Project:

The biodiversity of mosquitoes on the east end

Students:

Van Gatz, Caleigh Cantelupo, Julie Kadletz

School:

1. Shoreham Wading River; 2. Riverhead High Schools, Suffolk

Mentors:

Jennifer Gatz

Abstract:

DNA barcoding is an important measure for determining variations in mosquitoes of similar phenotypes. DNA Barcoding will be used in addition to traditional taxonomic methods to scientifically identify mosquitoes collected in three different locations on eastern Long Island. Mosquitoes are a problem on Long Island, and the warm humid climate in summer is conducive for them to increase in population size. Mosquitoes pose a threat to the public as a vector for disease. Recently, eight mosquito samples collected in late July throughout Suffolk County have tested positive for West Nile virus. Another local mosquito sample tested positive for a rare and possibly deadly virus called Eastern Equine Encephalitis. While there is a vaccine for horses against the virus, there is no vaccine for humans (Coburn, 2019). We will use a sugar and yeast solution in our traps to capture mosquitoes overnight in three different locations, from the north shore of Shoreham and Wading River, as well as the Wild

Poster:

Team samples: