Dan Peach

Mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest animals due to the pathogens they spread, and they are found in a wide variety of habitats, from the tropics to the arctic, from sea level to the alpine, as well as in heavily disturbed urban environments and intact old-growth forests. However, there are large gaps in our knowledge about the distribution of both indigenous and invasive mosquitoes in Canada, including for important vector species. There are also questions about what ecological niches various mosquitoes occupy and why certain species are found in specific habitats. Furthermore, we know relatively little about why some mosquito species can become widespread and successful invasive organisms and why others, that may be tough enough to survive a broad array of environmental conditions, do not spread beyond their endemic ranges. If we are to accurately predict where pathogen transmission will occur, currently or under future climate change scenarios, we need a more accurate grasp of not only where established vectors occur and may expand to, but also why some mosquitoes are better invaders than others, what potential invaders we need to be aware of, and where they may establish. My proposed research will develop the necessary fundamental biological knowledge needed, and then make these predictions.