This USGS data release consists of seven data sets and accompanying metadata for studies on the efficacy of adult mosquito traps and lures for monitoring populations of the invasive mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus and the efficacy of the biopesticide VectoMax FG for control of larval Culex quinquefasciatus in Hawaiian forest bird habitat. Culex quinquefasciatus is the vector of the avian malaria Plasmodium relictum a key limiting factor of forest birds. The main components of the study included: 1) the evaluation of trap designs and lures for adult mosquitoes in forested habitat and the prevalence of malaria in those mosquitoes (Hawaii Island 2 data files), 2) Kawaikoi Stream surveys for larval mosquitoes and suitable larval habitat (Alakai Plateau, Kauai), 3) Larval mosquito control efficacy trials with the biopesticide VectoMax FG (Alakai Plateau, Kauai), 4) adult mosquito monitoring in the Kawaikoi Stream drainage study site and malaria prevalence determination (Alakai Plateau Kauai 2 data files). An additional data file contains geographical coordinates for key localities in the study. The study was conducted by The US Geological Survey, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center personnel in collaboration wth biologists with the Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project. Studies were conducted in native forests on Kauai and Hawaii islands during 2016 and 2017.

As part of a larger study looking at the efficacy of the biopesticide VectoMax FG for control of larval Culex quinquefasciatus, USGS and DOFAW personnel monitored adult mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes japonicus) along the Kawaikoi Stream during late summer, September through November 2016 and 2017. Ten trap sites were selected across a 1-kilometer grid centered on the intersection of the Alakai Swamp Trail and Kawaikoi Stream, Alakai Wilderness Preserve, Kauai. Traps were located at least 200 meters apart at accessible sites along the stream, valley floor, and adjacent plateau. Both Biogents Sentinel Traps (BGS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Gravid Traps (GRV) were operated nightly at each site from 1600 to 0700 hr the following morning. Depending on the weather (heavy rains and high water) and trap reliability (battery and CO2 delivery failures) the number of traps operated per night varied considerably. The data was used to compare the weekly relative abundance of mosquitoes (mosquitoes/trap-night) across the trapping season and following VectoMax FG application.

As part of a larger study looking at the efficacy of the biopesticide VectoMax FG for control of larval Culex quinquefasciatus, USGS and DOFAW personnel monitored adult mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes japonicus) along the Kawaikoi Stream during late summer, September through November 2016 and 2017. Ten trap sites were selected across a 1-kilometer grid centered on the intersection of the Alakai Swamp Trail and Kawaikoi Stream, Alakai Wilderness Preserve, Kauai. Traps were located at least 200 meters apart at accessible sites along the stream, valley floor, and adjacent plateau. Both Biogents Sentinel Traps (BGS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Gravid Traps (GRV) were operated nightly at each site from 1600 to 0700 hr the following morning. Depending on the weather (heavy rains and high water) and trap reliability (battery and CO2 delivery failures) the number of traps operated per night varied considerably. The data was used to compare the weekly relative abundance of mosquitoes (mosquitoes/trap-night) across the trapping season and following VectoMax FG application.

This data set and accompanying metadata is part of a larger data release for a Mark-Release-Recapture Trial with the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus conducted between October and December 2020.This dataset consists of site coordinates for various types of mosquito traps set out on eight, kilometer-long transects radiating out from a central point where marked mosquitoes were released. The data also includes 6 altitudinal sites along nearby Stainback Highway.

Mosquito-borne avian malaria is a key limiting factor on Hawaiian forest bird populations. Preservation of endemic forest birds and restoration of Hawaiian forest bird communities will rely on mosquito control. While landscape level control is being developed managers need short term and reliable tools for monitoring and controlling mosquito populations to protect remaining breeding bird populations. As part of a larger study on the efficacy of the biopesticide VectoMax FG for control of larval Culex quinquefasciatus and adult mosquito traps for monitoring, USGS personnel evaluated host-seeking trap configurations and gravid trap lures for capturing adult mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes japonicus) in native forest habitat from August to November 2017. Four trap sites were selected in a forest tract in Volcano Village. Traps were arranged in a 100-meter square and trap types and lures were rotated through each site during each week of the study in a latin square design. Both host-seeking traps (Biogents Sentinel Traps and CDC miniature light traps) and CDC Gravid Traps were operated nightly at each site from 1600 to 0700 hr the following morning. Collected mosquitoes were maintained on a 3% sucrose solution and later dissected for malarial diagnostics. Midguts and salivary glands were examined under compound microscopy (450X) for evidence of infection. Oocyst presence and intensity and sporozoite presence and relative intensity were recorded. The data provides for a comparison of trap types and lures for deriving malaria prevalence data and a useful measure of transmission risk at this time and place.

Mosquito-borne avian malaria is a key limiting factor on Hawaiian forest bird populations. Preservation of endemic forest birds and restoration of Hawaiian forest bird communities will rely on mosquito control. While landscape level control is being developed managers need short term and reliable tools for monitoring and controlling mosquito populations to protect remaining breeding bird populations. As part of a larger study on the efficacy of the biopesticide VectoMax FG for control of larval Culex quinquefasciatus and adult mosquito traps for monitoring, USGS personnel evaluated host-seeking trap configurations and gravid trap lures for capturing adult mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes japonicus) in native forest habitat from August to November 2017. Four trap sites were selected in a forest tract in Volcano Village. Traps were arranged in a 100-meter square and trap types and lures were rotated through each site during each week of the study in a latin square design. Both host-seeking traps (Biogents Sentinel Traps and CDC miniature light traps) and CDC Gravid Traps were operated nightly at each site from 1600 to 0700 hr the following morning. Collected mosquitoes were maintained on a 3% sucrose solution and later dissected for malarial diagnostics. Midguts and salivary glands were examined under compound microscopy (450X) for evidence of infection. Oocyst presence and intensity and sporozoite presence and relative intensity were recorded. The data provides for a comparison of trap types and lures for deriving malaria prevalence data and a useful measure of transmission risk at this time and place.

As part of a larger study looking at the ecology and potential control of larval Culex quinquefasciatus, USGS and Hawaii DOFAW personnel monitored larval mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus) and the non-target species Microvelia vagans and Megalagrion larvae in perched stream pools, seeps and ground pools along the Kawaikoi Stream during late summer, September through November 2016 and 2017. Pools were sampled before and following treatment with the biopesticide VectoMax FG at 1, 2, 7, 14, and 21 days post treatment to determine the efficacy of control and potential non-target effects. Only pools with mosquito larvae were treated although paired, untreated pools were also sampled to serve as controls for the non-target effects.

Mosquito-borne avian malaria is a key limiting factor on Hawaiian forest bird populations. Preservation of endemic forest birds and restoration of Hawaiian forest bird communities will rely on mosquito control. While landscape level control is being developed, managers need short term and reliable tools for monitoring and controlling mosquito populations to protect remaining breeding bird populations. As part of a larger study looking at the efficacy of the biopesticide VectoMax FG for control of larval Culex quinquefasciatus, USGS and DOFAW personnel monitored adult mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes japonicus) along the Kawaikoi Stream during late summer, September through November 2016 and 2017. Ten trap sites were selected across a 1-kilometer grid centered on the intersection of the Alakai Swamp Trail and Kawaikoi Stream, Alakai Wilderness Preserve, Kauai. Traps were located at least 200 meters apart at accessible sites along the stream, valley floor, and adjacent plateau. Both Biogents Sentinel Traps (BGS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Gravid Traps (GR) were operated nightly at each site from 1600 to 0700 hr the following morning. Collected mosquitoes were maintained on a 3% sucrose solution and later dissected for malarial diagnostic. Midguts and salivary glands were examined under compound microscopy (450X) for evidence of infection. Oocyst presence and intensity and sporozoite presence and relative intensity were recorded. While the data does not directly support the project objectives it provides is useful measure of transmission risk at this time and place.

Mosquito-borne avian malaria is a key limiting factor on Hawaiian forest bird populations. Preservation of endemic forest birds and restoration of Hawaiian forest bird communities will rely on mosquito control. While landscape level control is being developed, managers need short term and reliable tools for monitoring and controlling mosquito populations to protect remaining breeding bird populations. As part of a larger study looking at the efficacy of the biopesticide VectoMax FG for control of larval Culex quinquefasciatus, USGS and DOFAW personnel monitored adult mosquitoes (Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes japonicus) along the Kawaikoi Stream during late summer, September through November 2016 and 2017. Ten trap sites were selected across a 1-kilometer grid centered on the intersection of the Alakai Swamp Trail and Kawaikoi Stream, Alakai Wilderness Preserve, Kauai. Traps were located at least 200 meters apart at accessible sites along the stream, valley floor, and adjacent plateau. Both Biogents Sentinel Traps (BGS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Gravid Traps (GR) were operated nightly at each site from 1600 to 0700 hr the following morning. Collected mosquitoes were maintained on a 3% sucrose solution and later dissected for malarial diagnostic. Midguts and salivary glands were examined under compound microscopy (450X) for evidence of infection. Oocyst presence and intensity and sporozoite presence and relative intensity were recorded. While the data does not directly support the project objectives it provides is useful measure of transmission risk at this time and place.

This data release provides information about an experimental attempt to manually reduce mosquito larval habitat associated with feral pig damaged, fallen tree ferns (Cibotium sp.) within and adjacent to the current southern sections of the Kona Unit of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. The release contains 1) data and metadata files that document pre- and post-treatment mosquito oviposition trap catches within the treatment area, within an adjacent untreated area, and at four elevations along a central access road, 2) coordinates and elevations where oviposition traps were operated in treatment and control areas and along the access road, 3) prevalence of midgut oocysts and salivary gland sporozoites (Plasmodium relictum) and measurement of wing length for mosquitos captured in treatment and control areas and along the access road, 4) field effort in person days, approximate area treated, and numbers of tree ferns that were drained during the control phase of the experiment, and 5) estimates of numbers of tree ferns that were missed and not drained in the treatment area based on a random subset of sixty 50 X50 m plots after the control phase of the experiment was completed. This XML describes five tabular CSV files: (i) Source Reduction Study -Treatment Area Resampling.CSV, and (ii) Source Reduction Study - Hapuu Cutting Data.CSV, (iii) Source Reduction Study - Mosquito Dissections and Measurements.CSV, (iv) Source Reduction Study - Collection Periods.CSV and (v) Source Reduction Study - Mosquito Trap Locations.CSV.