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A Theoretical Research on Mosquito Behavior and Decisions in Different Aspects

Student(s):Mia Lagunas and Daniela Lopez
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Cassie Soeffing
Contributors:Dr. Rusty Low, scientist, IGES Peder Nelson, scientist, OSU Dr. Erika Podest, scientist, NASA JPL
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report, Mission Mosquito Report
Protocols:Mosquitoes
Presentation Video: View Video
Presentation Poster: View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:02/09/2022
In the last 5 years researchers have built mosquitobrains.org, the first map of the female mosquito brain. The new resource may ultimately uncover the circuitry behind biting and other behaviors. But still the mind of the female mosquito and what drives their decision is still ultimately a mystery. This study aims to determine if mosquito patterns are affected and or altered in different altitudes? Specifically higher ones. If the color of water as a variable affects mosquito breeding attraction? And additionally if clothing color as a variable affects mosquito biting behavior patterns? If so, what color captivates more significantly. Specifically ,it aims to research mosquito behavior and decisions in different aspects and circumstances to better understand the nature and persona of mosquitos. To conduct this research we planned 3 different experiments in the course of 3 weeks. The first experiment was to determine Mosquito preference in altitudes. We created two bottled water traps with grass clippings. One was placed on the rooftop and the other in the garden of Danielas backyard. We observed these traps for 3 weeks. The second experiment conducted was to test the Color Theory. To test this hypnosis we created 3 different black bucket mosquito traps. Each bucket had a single dyed color (the dye used was Chestnut hill food and egg dye); the colors utilized were black, red, and blue.Each trap used grass clippings as bait and were placed in different shaded corners of Mias backyard. We observed these traps for 3 weeks. For the final experiment to prove color biting preference we used our bodies as bait and wore different colored clothing and stood outside in our backyards from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm everyday for 6 days straight. The first 3 days we wore light colors such as white, kaki, and pastel yellow. The remaining days we wore darker colored clothes such as black, navy blue, and red. The results of experiment 1 Altitude preference showed that there were more eggs and larvae found in lower altitude garden traps. The results of experiment 2 Color Theory exhibited that the number of eggs and hatched larvae in the black dyed water was higher than in the red and blue. The amount of eggs and larvae in red and blue were roughly around the same. In experiment 3 Color Biting we saw more bitings on our bodies on days 4, 5, and 6 the days we were exposed in darker colored clothing. These results suggest that Mosquitoes do have a preference for select breeding habitats and in fact do have some type of neurological or logical system to find the best possible breeding site. Which allows us more insight into the mysterious mind of the female mosquito and what drives their decisions. Some suggestions to further pursue or further the experimentation in the case of experiment 3 Color biting, is to go out at different times of the day. Since in our experimentation we only went out in a select time, by doing this we can discover if time can be a variable.



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