by Patricia Norton, University of Missouri Department of Veterinary Pathology

Rumor has it that the Columbia’s Audubon Sanctuary provides a ready supply of organic, locally grown food for its bird inhabitants.  A 2024 study by the Mizzou’s Department of Veterinary Pathobiology confirms the rumor as true. Without a doubt, the fauna of the sanctuary grounds includes a variety of mosquitoes and ticks for the avian palate to enjoy (and be annoyed by).

Since 2019, researchers from Veterinary Pathobiology have conducted surveys of mosquitoes and ticks in Central Missouri for the purpose of identifying species and diseases they might carry. This year’s study focused on four areas in Boone County including the Audubon Sanctuary. The research team came once a month, from May through August, for sample collection. Mosquito traps were set up near the creek using dry ice (carbon dioxide) to attract the mosquitoes. Ticks were collected by dragging a flannel cloth for 75 meters (82 yards) along the edges of the East Trail loop.

During the summer research, seven different mosquito species are identified within the sanctuary: Aedes albopictus, Aedes vexans, Anopheles punctipennis, Culex erraticus, Culex restuans, Psorpohora mathesoni, and a real beauty, Psorophora cyanescens. Seven species represent an amazing variety for only using four mosquito traps.  Four of these species feed on birds to obtain the required blood needed to produce eggs (Aedes vexans, Culex erraticus, Culex restuans, and Psorophora mathesoni).

While a wide variety of mosquito species live in Missouri, our state has a limited number of tick species. The sanctuary has two common types: the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) and the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). The lone star tick feeds on ground dwelling birds such as quail and turkeys. The tick life cycle is egg, larva, nymph, and finally adult. At the end of four months, the sanctuary’s final tick count is 2,935 ticks. (See table for more details). Audubon Sanctuary ranks first for the largest number of ticks collected from our four sites in Boone County during survey period. Congratulations!? The ticks will be tested for certain pathogens affecting humans.

Count of ticks by genus/species and life stage at Audubon Sanctuary, May-August 2024

	Adult	Nymphs	Larva
Lone star tick	46	36	2,852
American dog tick	1	0	0

The researchers give a special thanks to Bill Mees and the Columbia Audubon Society for making this study possible.