Mosquito populations in the United States are on the rise, prompting concerns about the transmission of diseases such as the West Nile virus. Despite efforts by local governments to manage these pests, research indicates that their numbers continue to grow.
Assistant Professor Kelsey Lyberger is leading a study to examine how local mosquito behavior impacts public health. “West Nile virus spreads to humans when mosquitoes bite infected migratory birds and then bite people,” she explained. “The landscape for mosquitoes has significantly changed, with their numbers increasing due to warmer climates and weather patterns, such as the monsoons in Arizona.”
Lyberger and her team at the Lyberger Lab are focusing on Culex mosquitoes, which are known carriers of the West Nile virus. Their research aims to identify the environments in Phoenix where these mosquitoes thrive and how their populations can be managed to reduce disease transmission.
To understand how mosquitoes endure extreme heat, Lyberger and her students have been monitoring temperatures across 24 different microhabitats in Phoenix, including well-watered plant nurseries and park drains. They are collecting mosquito larvae from these sites, posing the question: “Isn”t a Phoenix summer too hot for mosquitoes?”
Fourth-year student Chloe Martz, who is studying natural resource ecology, has helped develop the logistics of this research program. “We rear the collected larvae in the lab until they reach adulthood,” she stated. “By identifying the species, we can determine their critical thermal maximum and compare it with the temperatures recorded at each site to see how often these temperatures exceed that maximum.”
Interestingly, the temperatures measured at their research sites were generally lower than the data collected by city weather stations at locations like the airport. This discrepancy provides a clearer understanding of the conditions that allow mosquitoes to thrive. Despite the heat, Lyberger noted that these resilient insects are surviving just below their critical thermal limits.
Lyberger elaborated, “They may adapt through acclimation, preparing physiologically for high temperatures, or through evolutionary changes where certain populations are better suited for heat.” Her previous research involved creating a global dataset of dengue fever cases to assess the influence of temperature on disease transmission in various regions.
With the data they have gathered, Lyberger and her students intend to apply mathematical modeling to predict mosquito seasonality. “Our goal is to provide insights to Maricopa County Vector Control and public health agencies about when and where transmission may occur, enabling them to implement targeted interventions such as fogging,” she explained. “Maricopa County Vector Control maintains a comprehensive dataset of mosquito abundance, which I am analyzing statistically to evaluate the effectiveness of their treatments.”
Martz expressed how this research has enhanced her skills in fieldwork, coding, data organization, and troubleshooting, all of which will be vital in her future academic and professional pursuits in entomology. “The hands-on experience is engaging. I have the opportunity to identify various plants and animals in the field, which is appealing to future employers,” she said. “When I return to the lab to analyze data, witnessing the results of my hard work is immensely rewarding.”
Lyberger emphasizes that students of applied biology have diverse career pathways available to them across multiple scientific disciplines, including environmental science, epidemiology, public health, and data science. As she continues her research, she plans to explore the dynamics of mosquito populations further and their relationship with diseases like dengue fever, which could pose a growing threat as temperatures rise.
Looking ahead, Lyberger is enthusiastic about mentoring her students and inspiring the next generation of scientists to make their own discoveries in the field of entomology.
Research underpins significant advancements in America, fostering new technologies and opportunities. For more information about discoveries at Arizona State University that contribute to global progress, visit researchmatters.asu.edu.
