Working with biocontrol agents against inner city mosquitoes

Harris County Precinct 4’s Biological Control Initiative produces multiple mosquito-targeting biological control agents (bca’s), including predators and parasitoids. Our arsenal consists of “mosquito assassins”, Toxorhynchites rutilus; “Culex destroyer” nematodes, Romanomermis culicivorax; and predacious copepods; which are all reared inhouse. They are primarily applied in Harris County parks and conservation preserves where standard mosquito control applications are limited or non-existent and selected to match biology and habitat to best their intended target. Here we share an overview of our 2021 project at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. Its 155acres function as an inner-city forest oasis complete with walking trails along and over temporarily flooded sunny swamps, shaded natural ponds, and heavily managed, man-made ponds, which all boast their very own mosquito population and diversity. Our efforts there incorporate various biological control applications with efficacy studies; static signage and social media information campaigns generate public interest and serve as education tools to further interest in STEM disciplines and natural sciences.