Student Research Reports

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The research was conducted to better understand mosquitoes' survival in a particular habitat/biome. The objective was to collect photographic and observational data on how many larvae were in the larvae trap each week and compare it to other colleagues' data. The larvae trap was a washed-out container of protein powder that was 1.65 L (0.45 gal). The container was filled 4/5ths of the way with tap water and threw in a handful of fresh grass. Two large pasture stirring were hammered into the ground to secure the container in place, and one stirring stick was to be used as an egg-laying zone. The container was placed in the subject's backyard under a pine tree on June 14. It took about 5-6 days for larvae to appear; the number of larvae increased steadily over time, reaching nearly 35 larvae by July 23. The location of the larvae trap was in Oakdale, MN, a suburb directly east of Saint Paul. The weather in Minnesota can be peculiar as the state is in the middle of a couple of biomes and climates within the US. Temperatures can range from 75 degrees to as high as 98 degrees during the summer. There were no problems with the larvae trap. It did get dry some days, but the water did not evaporate or decrease in size dramatically. No animals had altered the container since my location is surrounded by vast flat plains, several lakes and ponds, and wilderness. The subject had learned that his colleagues in the Western and Southwestern region of the US had problems with their larvae traps due to extreme heat and lack of shade. Subsequently, colleagues located in the warm, humid Southeastern region of the US and the Southern America/ Caribbean Island region had flourished in their experiments, reporting astonishing data. It was concluded that mosquitos in warm, humid areas near a body of water tend to strive in livelihood and reproduction the most. The experiment and research had caused the subject to gain more interest in biology and performing field science.