Date of Award:

8-2026

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biology

Committee Chair(s)

Norah P. Saarman

Committee

Norah P. Saarman

Committee

Zachariah Gompert

Committee

Gregory S. White

Abstract

West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in North America and can cause serious illness, including inflammation of the brain and nervous system. Because there is currently no widely available vaccine for humans, preventing mosquito bites and monitoring mosquito populations remain the most effective ways to reduce disease risk. Understanding which mosquito species are present, where they occur, and how they respond to environmental change is critical for protecting public health.

This research examined the mosquito species responsible for spreading West Nile virus in Utah through two complementary studies. The first study focused on the Uinta Basin in eastern Utah, where little was known about the presence of important West Nile virus vectors. Using DNA-based identification methods, mosquitoes collected from six locations were analyzed to determine their species identity. The study provided the first molecular confirmation that Culex pipiens, a major West Nile virus vector, is established in the Uinta Basin. No evidence was found for a closely related species, Culex quinquefasciatus, or for hybrid mosquitoes between the two species.

The second study investigates how urbanization and seasonal changes influence mosquito populations across northern Utah. By combining mosquito surveillance, genetic identification, and advanced statistical modeling, this work evaluated how mosquito communities vary between rural, suburban, and urban environments throughout the year. Results indicate that urbanization changes which mosquito species are present, and these changes may shape when and where West Nile virus is transmitted. Together, these studies improve our understanding of where disease-carrying mosquitoes occur and the environmental conditions that support them. This information can help public health agencies and mosquito control programs target surveillance and management efforts more effectively, reducing costs associated with unnecessary treatments while improving the ability to detect and respond to West Nile virus risk. As climate and land-use patterns continue to change, these findings provide valuable information to protect human health and support evidence-based mosquito management strategies throughout Utah.

Checksum

3351cc10227098c103f8cae7d2ee8cb2

Download

Share

COinS

Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .