Mosquito diversity in Alaska In Space and Time

Module overview

Bzzzz - what would Alaska summers be without mosquitoes? Even though we might not enjoy their presence when trying to enjoy the outdoors, mosquitoes play an important role especially in arctic ecosystems. Forming dense clouds during the growing season, they help distribute plant pollen, provide a food source for migratory nesting birds and can impact the migration paths of caribou. This learning tool provides you with some basic information on mosquito biology. We will be using data that were collected by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) at five sites along a latitudinal gradient in Alaska. You can explore data on the abundance and timing of several mosquito species common to the Arctic and analyze connected temperature and soil moisture information.

Learning objectives

After completing the learning activities, you will be able to

•  describe the mosquito life cycle including aquatic and terrestrial developmental stages

• compare and contrast seasonal changes in mosquito biomass of local species with different life history strategies

• explore data of abiotic variables to help explain seasonal changes in mosquito biomass

• evaluate how a changing climate might affect Alaska mosquito populations in the future