Construction continues on the Mosquito Insectary

The two new mosquito insectary buildings being added to the CMAVE complex were funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) - Deployed War-Fighter Protection (DWFP) program. This research program will develop and test management tools for pest and vector species that transmit diseases to the deployed troops. The first building will contain 3 environmental chambers for rearing mosquitoes and a greenhouse for rearing and experiments that require natural daylight. The expected completion date is June 2006, with occupancy date expected for fall 2006 when outfitting of the building will be complete. A second insectary building with eight 10’x20’ temperature, humidity, and light-controlled chambers is expected to be completed by late summer 2006. These two buildings will allow a great expansion of the mosquito rearing, including new species and insecticide-resistant colonies needed for DWPF-related research within and outside MFRU, as well as other MFRU research. Currently MFRU rears 9 mosquito and 4 fly species, including 3 strains of house flies, and plans to add sand fly colonies soon. When all mosquito colonies are transferred to the new insectary, the old mosquito insectary will be refurbished to provide additional lab and office space for DWFP activities.

The Mosquito and Fly Research Unit (MFRU) of the USDA, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology (CMAVE) has a long history of cooperating with the Department of Defense (DOD). In the 1960's , the broad-spectrum repellent DEET was selected by ARS scientists because of its effectiveness in protecting deployed troops from arthropod-borne diseases. The development by ARS of ultra-low volume pesticide spray systems in the 1960's-70's provided area-wide protection of troops from disease vectors. In the 1980's, permethrin-impregnated tents and uniforms were developed for personal protection of troops from disease vectors. The MFRU now plans to meet the challenge of the new Deployed War-Fighter Protection (DWFP) initiative by providing DOD with new technologies to protect military personnel against mosquitoes, biting flies and contingent risks of vector-borne diseases. The dedication will commemorate the completion of a 7,000 square foot state-of-the-art addition to the facility at CMAVE, and will serve as a landmark to symbolize the combined DOD and USDA efforts to continue its research to control vector-borne disease threats to U.S. Military troops in the field.

May 2006 - Almost Done!
September 2005	April 2006
March 2005 - Breaking Ground	June 2005