Year-round Observations of Adult Culex Mosquitoes in Storm Sewer Pipes in the Northwestern Chicago Suburbs

J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2024 Mar 1;40(1):78-80. doi: 10.2987/23-7159.

Abstract

Over the course of three years, 200 ft to 0.75 mi (60 m to 1.2 km) sections of 3 larger (>6 ft [1.8 m] diam) belowground storm sewer conveyance pipes in the northwestern Chicago suburbs were inspected for the presence of adult mosquitoes. Culex mosquitoes were by far the most common (555 of 556 [99.8%] total mosquitoes) collected within pipes during all four meteorological seasons (i.e. during months of October, January, May, August). These observations support prior work elsewhere, suggesting storm sewer pipes are consistent sites of refuge for adult Culex mosquitoes.

Keywords: Culex; hibernacula; mosquito; refugia; storm sewer.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chicago
  • Culex*
  • Culicidae*
  • Seasons