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Invasive Aedes Case Studies

Invasive Aedes Case Studies

Invasive Aedes Case Studies

229 - Invasive Aedes Investigation and Response at a Zoo and Botanical Garden in Minnesota: Surveillance 

Thursday, March 26, 2026
9:30 AM - 9:40 AM PDT
Location: B110
Abstract: Routine surveillance of adult mosquitoes using CO2-baited light traps in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan area by the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District detected never-before-seen Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Further surveillance efforts in the area revealed adult and larval Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes present and breeding inside and outside of Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Minnesota winters are extremely cold and all previous invasions of invasive Aedes have never survived until spring, however, the tropical environments provided by exhibits within the area proved to be a challenge for control efforts. Extensive, additional surveillance efforts were conducted including additional CO₂ traps surrounding the initial collection area, BG Pro traps set in the sentinel-style inside the park, large aspirator sampling of nearby harborages, larval collecting from water-holding plants and containers, sweep net sampling of mosquitoes attracted to or flying nearby human hosts, and oviposition traps to gather eggs helped elucidate the distribution and abundance of invasive Aedes in the area. Surveillance in outdoor areas was halted after multiple freeze events occurred, whereas surveillance inside the tropical environments continues.