147 - Transitioning field research and collaborations from the military to a civilian mosquito control district

Abstract: Military entomologists are engaged in multiple aspects of field research to provide control of disease vector insects in its mission to provide force health protection to deployed troops from a multitude of threats including malaria, dengue, and leishmaniasis, among others. Military funding and collaborations are often provided through the Armed Forces Pest Management Board, the Deployed Warfighter Program, DARPA grants, the USDA, state and other federal government agencies, and many universities. Larger Florida mosquito control districts are well funded as independent special taxing districts, meaning that ad valorem taxes are collected from county residents to pay for mosquito control. In order to gain the benefits seen within military vector control efforts, the Lee County Mosquito Control District (LCMCD) has allocated more funding for advanced mosquito control research over the past seven years to enable more robust mosquito control and has increased collaboration with many universities. This presentation will present LCMCD’s exploration into new technologies and collaborations to better control mosquitoes in Lee County.