First collection!

After setting up the ovicup traps this past Monday, today we just finished collecting them. There weren't as many eggs as we had expected; at most, there were only about a few dozen from a single ovitrap. We suspect recent heavy rain could have played a role.

 

 

 

The previous paper cropped and turned to show the eggs.

Mosquito eggs, shown above, are extremely tiny. Interestingly, these eggs are able to stay "glued" to the surface. They can stay affixed to the paper even under running water. The papers will be dried before counting the eggs. We will then mail the assorted papers to our collaborators at FIU where they will be re-soaked in water to be hatched with the goal of rearing adults, starting colonies, and performing genetic tests. Mosquito eggs can remain dormant for months or even years!