The first record of larval collections of Ochlerotatus thibaulti in New York state.

Larvae of Ochlerotatus thibaulti Dyar and Knab have not been reported in New York State or New England, but adult records suggest that breeding populations are present. In 2003 and 2004, larval Oc. thibaulti were collected at 3 sites upstate near the Catskill Mountain region in Lomontville, NY. This is the 1st record of Oc. thibaulti collected in New York and New England. Larvae were found in a variety of subterranean habitats within and near semipermanent woodland pools, including under hummocks and in deep and shallow depressions of upturned trees. No immatures were observed after late June. Larvae of Culiseta melanura were found in the same habitats in the early spring and later in the season after Oc. thibaulti had emerged.

Field evaluation of CDC gravid trap attractants to primary West Nile virus vectors, Culex mosquitoes in New York State.

A field study was conducted to evaluate two CDC gravid trap attractants available for the West Nile virus surveillance program in New York State (NYS). According to potential attractiveness, a common lawn sod in NYS, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) infusion and a rabbit chow infusion were compared for attractiveness to primary West Nile virus vectors, Culex mosquitoes. Attractiveness of each infusion was measured by the number of adult mosquitoes caught in CDC gravid traps and the number of egg rafts laid in ovitraps. Both gravid trap and ovitrap studies demonstrated that lawn sod infusion with a 7-day incubation period had better attractiveness to Culex restuans/Culex pipiens than rabbit chow infusion with the same incubation period. Attractiveness of lawn sod infusions was increased as they became aged within a week's period. Lawn sod infusion also attracted more Ochlerotatus japonicus, a potentially important West Nile virus vector in New York.