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Student Competition I

Student Competition I

Student Competition I

33 - Comprehensive insights into mosquito species diversity and habitat-specific host selection patterns in Cameron Park Zoo, Waco, Texas.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026
2:45 PM - 2:55 PM PDT
Location: B119
Abstract: The co-occurrence of native and exotic animals in zoos creates a unique setting that may influence host-vector interactions. We conducted odor-baited trapping at Cameron Park Zoo and used DNA barcoding to identify mosquito species and blood meal hosts. We observed high ornithophily in Culex species and more generalist feeding in Aedes species. Our results suggest that the confined zoo environment influences mosquito host-seeking behavior, likely due to host availability and short-distance dispersal of adults.