Week 3: (6/17-6/21)

 Black Fly This Week: 

I had an exciting week working with black flies! I collected my first independent samples from three different sites in order to determine if we needed to treat the river (spoiler alert: we did). I am still working on correctly identifying black flies larvae in comparison to other species, but I was able to identify black flies at 2 of the 3 sites I went to. I sorted through the samples afterwards. I saw what they looked like under the microscope, which was not only interesting but also helpful. Attached are some pictures!! Once it was determined that the river needed to be treated, I went out into the field to see how it was done. We went to seven different sites and treated with BTI. 

Bioassay Update & Mosquito Work This Week: 

Since I completed my first bioassay last week, we started to analyze the results of it! Although we still need to run duplicate bioassays, I learned some preliminary results in order to adjust for the future. We received five useful points for Probit analysis (meaning that percent death was below 100 and above 0). There was also a fairly large gap between two concentrations (37% and 86% dead), so we decided to add another concentration in between the two points for a more accurate analysis. With the results of this bioassay, the LD50 was 0.05. After looking this all over, we started preparing more test solutions for the next bioassay. We also hatched more eggs, so we could use them in the next phase. On Thursday, we started the bioassay in order to record results on Monday (96 hours). This time, we did six concentrations (0.265 µl/L, 0.1 µl/L, 0.074 µl/L, 0.05 µl/L, 0.0265 µl/L, 0.01 µl/L) and a control. I am excited to see the results when I go in on Monday! We also put egg paper into our tent, so mosquitoes can lay their eggs, and we can use them. Additionally, this week I helped set more mosquito traps. From the traps, I learned about pinning mosquitoes for our collection. I also saw how we scan mosquitoes for an AI software, so that it can learn to identify them for people who may not know much about different species of mosquitoes.

More Photos:

Above is a photo of the set up of our second bioassay!! 

Above is a photo of black fly larvae I separated from my samples! 

Above is a photo from one of the black fly sites we treat at. They are always so pretty!