Evaluation of factors for rapid development of Culex quinquefasciatus in belowground stormwater treatment devices.

Water samples from 11 belowground stormwater treatment Best Management Practices (BMPs) were evaluated for their capacity to support rapid development of the West Nile virus (WNV) mosquito vector, Culex quinquefasciatus. The observed minimum development time from egg to pupa ranged from six to over 30 days. Concentrations of potential food resources (total suspended solids and the particulate organic matter in water samples) were significantly correlated to development times. In addition, the rate of immature mosquito development was both site-dependent and variable in time, suggesting that factors favorable to rapid development were strongly influenced by watershed characteristics and seasonal changes in temperature. Measured temperatures in belowground BMPs suggest that these structures may remain amenable to WNV virus activity longer each year than sites aboveground.