Methods

Field methods

The mosquito data were collected by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) at five sites along a latitudinal gradient in Alaska. Each site has ten CO2 samplers. Samplers are set out every two weeks for two days when temperatures are above 4 degrees Celsius. The CO2 samplers are filled with dry ice and attached to a battery-operated fan. The mosquitoes are attracted to the CO2 released from the dry ice. The mosquitoes are then trapped inside a cup with a mesh bottom and lid until collected. Watch the video on the sampling approach at Toolik Field Station by Amanda Young.

The research sites are displayed on the map in the top left corner. You can click on it to view a larger map version. Sites displayed in this module include:

• • BARR - Utkiagvik (formerly Barrow)

  • TOOK - Toolik Field Station

  • BONA - Bonanza Creek (at Caribou-Poker Creeks)

  • DEJU - Delta Junction

  • HEAL - Healy

Lab methods

Following collection, mosquito samples are sent to an external facility where they are sorted to remove bycatch and taxonomically identified (to species and sex, whenever possible). In the case of large field samples, a subsample of up to 200 individual mosquitoes is taxonomically identified but both total weights of the field collected sample and the subsample are provided to inform estimates of total abundance.