What is the Mosquito Ambassador Program?
The Mosquito Ambassador Program (MAP) is a citizen science initiative of the INHS Medical Entomology Lab that invites individuals and families to learn about mosquito ecology and help track the range of invasive mosquito species by collecting eggs throughout the state. The program’s objectives are to spread awareness of mosquito-borne diseases, empower individuals to assist with mosquito prevention in their neighborhoods and implement a passive mosquito surveillance system for Illinois.
What we do
The INHS Medical Entomology Lab annually performs mosquito surveillance throughout the state, but we need your help to survey even more locations! The lab will provide the necessary materials for you to collect mosquito eggs right in your backyard. After you make the egg collections and record some additional data, you will send the eggs back to the lab for us to hatch, rear to adulthood, and identify the different species.
There are several ways for you to get involved
We are working to incorporate even more ways for Illinois residents to participate in mosquito research, so make sure to check back for additional opportunities!
Become a Mosquito Ambassador
Make egg collections in your backyard to assist with surveillance throughout the state. After participating in MAP and receiving informational materials, make sure to take our post-program survey so we can gauge MAP’s overall success!
BiteMap
Report mosquito bites to our BiteMap system, which will help to track mosquito activity throughout the season and eventually, this data can be used in predictive models which can be used by mosquito control programs throughout Illinois.