Thad Allen Post 1
I recently began graduate school with the Saarman lab at USU. Working with SLCMAD this summer has provided me with invaluable background knowledge in mosquito biology and mosquito control methods. I've done a woeful job taking pictures of the day-to-day operational activities I've participated in, so first I'll describe the research project I'm working on this summer. L. sphaericus bacteria produce a toxin that is highly effective against Culex genus mosquitoes, the main vector of West Nile Virus in North America, with very little impact on non-target species. However, SLCMAD has had to stop using this product because the local C. pipiens population developed resistance several years ago. I am attempting to collect Culex pipiens larvae that are resistant to a bacterial larvicide, Lysinibacillus sphaericus , for future genomic analysis. I am setting out pans of "stinky water" to lure female C. pipiens to lay eggs. Then, I hatch these eggs in the lab and expose...