Project:

The use of DNA Barcoding to identify mosquitoes.

Students:

Teagan Barry, Oliwia Obrycki, Lily Jordan, Rebecca Parla

School:

West Babylon Senior High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Andrea Durbin

Abstract:

It is important to keep track of the mosquito population on Long Island in order to keep us safe from getting infected by mosquito-borne diseases, such as WNV and EEEV. Last year, in 2023, 99 mosquitoes that were collected had also tested positive for carrying WNV, along with 5 human cases of WNV. In 2019, 9 mosquitoes that were collected had tested positive for carrying EEEV (Suffolk County Health Department, n.d.). In order to track mosquito populations, you must be able to identify different species. There are roughly about 50 different species of mosquitoes on Long Island, like the Culex Pipiens, Aedes Albopictus (Paramount Pest Control, n.d.) and Coquillettidia perturbans. We will be focusing on Coquillettidia perturbans. Coquillettidia perturbans are found throughout North America and populate most states, including New York. Coquillettidia perturbans have served as transmitters of EEEV from birds to humans and/or horses. When they are adults, they can also host water mites. Furt

Poster:

Team samples: