Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1976. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-83).

Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2006. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Sept. 26, 2006). Thesis advisor: Reid R. Gerhardt. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Southwest Virginia has recently become an emerging focus of activity for La Crosse (LAC) virus, a mosquito-transmitted arbovirus in the California serogroup of Bunyaviruses. In 2005 and 2006, ovitrap surveys were conducted to access the spatiotemporal oviposition activity of LAC virus vectors Aedes triseriatus, Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus across a wide region of southwest Virginia. Egg abundance and oviposition patterns of these vectors were significantly different across the three study areas. The primary LAC virus vector, Ae. triseriatus, was collected in the greatest abundance from all three areas, and favored forested habitats. Aedes albopictus was the second most abundant species collected, and was found to favor urban environments. Aedes japonicus also has a preference for urban habitats, and is actively expanding its range throughout southwest Virginia. Dogs were used to determine their efficacy as sentinels for assessing the distribution of LAC virus in southwest Virginia. Canine serum samples were tested using plaque reduction neutralization (PRNT) assays. Of the 436 collected canine serum samples, 21 (4.8%) were positive for LAC virus antibodies. LAC virus seroprevalence was evident in dogs from each study region, including areas where LAC virus human cases and LAC virus positive mosquito isolates have not been reported. As a result, this study provided documentation of horizontal transmission of LAC virus throughout southwest Virginia, demonstrating that dogs make useful sentinels for assessing the distribution of LAC virus in an area. The final objective examined the effects of coinfection with D. immitis microfilariae and LAC virus in three species of Aedes mosquitoes. No significant differences were found between mosquitoes fed dually infected bloodmeals (i.e. D. immitis microfilariae and LAC virus) and those fed bloodmeals containing LAC virus only. A follow-up study found low mosquito midgut penetration rates by D. immitis, despite using biologically significant doses of microfilariae. Failure to demonstrate enhancement of LAC virus in vector mosquitoes suggests that D. immitis does not have a significant impact on LAC virus epidemiology in areas where these organisms co-exist. / Ph. D.

Mosquito surveillance is an integral part of understanding mosquito-borne disease, including and not limited to the La Crosse virus. The primary container-inhabiting Aedeni vectors include Aedes triseritatus, Aedes albopictus, and Aedes japonicus. To better understand the efficacy of gravid traps and oviposition traps as surveillance methods for these mosquitoes, field studies were conducted in three different habitat types. Ae. triseriatus, Ae. albopictus, Ae. japonicus, and Aedes aegypti eggs were described with the aid of color images and SEM. All eggs were broadly cigar shaped with Ae. triseriatus and Ae. japonicus eggs being dull or matte black while Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti eggs were shiny jet black. Ae. triseriatus eggs were larger, lighter in color, and have a rougher appearance when compared to Ae. japonicus. Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti can be differentiated by the distinct presence of a micropylar collars in Ae. aegypti. Ovitrap and gravid trap efficacy for the surveillance of Ae. triseriatus, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. japonicus were measured in three different habitats on two different sites. Both sites contained the same 2ha habitats with varying degrees of forest canopy disturbance. Ae. triseriatus was the most abundant mosquito on all sites. Ovitraps and gravid traps were efficient in collecting Ae. triseriatus, while ovitraps were not efficient in collecting Ae. japonicus and Ae. albopictus. / Master of Science in Life Sciences

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1956 D38 / Master of Science

Thesis (M.S. Ed.)--University of Wisconsin -- La Crosse, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 48).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin -- La Crosse, 1973. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-131).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 1996. / Includes abstract dn vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 284-292).

Thèse (M.A.)--Université de Sherbrooke (Canada), 2007. / Titre de l'écran-titre (visionné le 27 févr. 2008). In ProQuest dissertations and theses. Publié aussi en version papier.

Thesis (M.S.E.)--University of Wisconsin -- La Crosse, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 38).