Abstract: Indian River Mosquito Control District (IRMCD) received a routine mosquito complaint in 2019. The findings, however, were not routine. We found two salt marsh mosquito species (Aedes taeniorhynchus and Aedes sollicitans) in the western part of our District, where there is no salt marsh habitat. Their habitat is brackish salt marsh which exists along our eastern coast. How did our salt mosquitoes end up so far west? We found the source of breeding on a commercial aquaculture farm adjacent to the site of the initial complaint. Saltwater discharges were occurring outside of their lined ponds resulting in creation of an artificial saltwater breeding ground for salt marsh mosquitoes. After two years of gathering data and providing suggestions to the aquaculture farm, the salt-marsh mosquito problem on the property persisted. IRMCD worked with multiple local and state regulatory agencies to solve the problem. This presentation will overview how the problem was identified, results of the data collection, potential solutions, and coordination efforts with other agencies to ensure problem was effectively remedied.
