June 23-27 Emerald Cordova

 Hello, all!

Last week was super crazy, but very eventful. We spent the week trapping in a new area that I really enjoy. I have found that field work is one of my favorite parts of the job, as it is a nice break up between lab and computer work. It often is like going on a little hike, and the weather in Fort Collins has been so nice recently (if not a bit too warm). Along with mosquitoes, it’s fun to observe the other insects and birds inhabiting the areas we visit. After we collect our yield, we start sorting the mosquitoes. The process of sorting is a bit tedious, but it is now getting easier every time that I do it. It involves using an aspirator to suck the mosquitoes out of the traps, then we put them into plastic bags that we stick under the microscope in order to identify. After we ID each one, we separate them based on species to be used in the bottle assays. IDing is also starting to move faster now that I have become more familiar with the defining characteristics used in identifying the species we see the most often. Mosquitoes are even beautiful under the microscope. Aedes vexans are a lovely gold, and sometimes when identifying, I will catch a beautiful rainbow wing under the scope. 

I also got to run my first bottle assay last week. It was interesting to observe the rates mosquitoes died after being exposed to insecticides, and how some really just hang in there until the very end. Bottle assays interest me the most, though, because they are examples of how our work has a direct impact on the community. It serves as a reminder to why the work we’re doing is so important. 

That’s about all I have from last week. More updates to come soon!