Novel Indices of Meterological Drivers of West Nile Virus in Ohio Culex Species Mosquitoes From 2002-2006.

Abstract

Novel indices were developed representing estimated stages in the mosquito life cycle and its ecology, and informed with meteorological data. We used descriptive statistics to identify relationships between meteorological/ecological trends and peak infection rates (IRs), and mixed model linear regression to identify meteorological/ecological trends that were significantly associated with increases in mosquito IRs. Results showed increased mean weekly temperature as a significant driver of increased IRs between 2002 and 2006 during oviposition (the trapping week); the gonotrophic cycle; the egg, larvae, and pupae stage; the development of oviposition sites; and during the over-winter months preceding trapping. Decreases in weekly cumulative precipitation during the last half of the development of oviposition sites, and the egg, larvae, and pupae stage, were significantly associated with increases in IRs. Increased cumulative precipitation during the first half of the development of oviposition sites was significantly associated with increases in IRs. Decreases in the weekly Palmer Drought Index during the development of oviposition sites were significantly associated with increases in IRs.