Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition

NEW COURSE! Learn about the biology and ecology of mosquitoes, as well as how to recognize their habitats in NJ

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Course Details

Course Name: Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition
Course Code: AE0611WA25
Date of Most Recent Offering: January 6 – February 14, 2025

Virtual Course Opens: January 6, 2025 at 12:01 am EST UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Virtual Course Closes: February 14, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Self-Paced Assignments: 2-3 hours each week for 6 weeks UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Live Zoom Q & A Sessions with Instructors: 1 hour each week (choose 9:00 – 10:00 am or 6:00 – 7:00 pm on Thursdays) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
In Person Field Trips: A total of five field trips in New Jersey will be scheduled after the virtual course concludes. Exact dates and times will be provided to registrants as they become available during the year. The field trips are not mandatory; transportation will be provided at no additional cost. UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Location: Online course and optional field trips UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Format: Flipped classroom * UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
*Listen to the asynchronous lectures at your own pace and join a mandatory weekly online session with the instructor to address any questions and enhance your learning.

Registration Fee: $975 per person UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Mosquito Management Certificate Program Discount: $850 per person (must also register for Mosquito Surveillance and Control and Mosquito Identification: Focus on the Northeast US ) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration closes: January 2, 2025 UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

Certificate iconThis class is part of the Professional Mosquito Management Certificate Program.

This comprehensive course is designed to provide participants with a deep understanding of the biology and ecology of mosquitoes, as well as the skills to identify and manage their habitats. Mosquitoes play a crucial role in public health, and understanding their biology and ecology is essential for effective mosquito control and disease prevention. The habitat recognition portion of the course will provide participants with hands-on experience in identifying and monitoring the primary types of mosquito habitats in the state of New Jersey. The dates for those modules and site visits will be determined based on-site availability and attendee schedules. This course provides a unique opportunity for participants to gain practical skills and knowledge essential for effective mosquito habitat management in New Jersey, combining scientific understanding with real-world applications.

Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Mosquitoes

Module 2: Mosquito Biology

Module 3: Mosquito Ecology

Module 4: Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Module 5: Mosquito Habitats across NJ

Module 6: History and Organization of Mosquito Control in NJ

Field Trips

Field Trip 1: Snow Pool Mosquitoes – Sussex County, NJ (Early Spring)

Field Trip 2: Urban Mosquitoes – Union County, NJ

Field Trip 3: Salt Marsh Mosquitoes – Middlesex County, NJ

Field Trip 4: Cedar Swamps – Location TBD

Field Trip 5: Rural, Agricultural Landscapes – Location TBD

Course Format

Each week, asynchronous course materials will be made available on Monday at 9:00 AM. These materials will include four to eight presentations, each lasting 10 to 15 minutes, followed by multiple-choice quizzes. Participants will review the presentations at their own pace and complete the quizzes.

Additionally, a one-hour synchronous instructor-led Zoom session will be held each week to discuss the material and address any questions or challenges. Two options for the live session will be offered: Thursday morning (9:00 – 10:00 am) or Thursday evening (6:00 – 7:00 pm). Participants must register for one of these sessions no later than 6:00 pm on Wednesday of each week.

At the end of the course, participants will be evaluated with a final exam during the Week 6 Thursday (cameras must remain on).

Who Should Attend?

Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition is recommended for professionals involved in mosquito research, identification, surveillance, and abatement, including:

  • Biologists
  • Entomologists
  • Environmental Health Specialists
  • Mosquito Control Commission Staff
  • Mosquito Inspectors
  • Mosquito Researchers
  • Mosquito Technicians
  • Pesticide Applicators/Operators
  • Public Health Personnel
  • Wetland Specialists

stack of books iconRequired and Recommended Textbooks

The following textbook is required. You may purchase it on your own or through our office with your registration.

  • Wetland Indicators: A Guide to Wetland Identification, Delineation, Classification, and Mapping 2nd Edition [ISBN 9781439853696] Ralph W. Tiner – $135.00

The following textbook is strongly recommended. You may purchase it on your own.

  • Munsell Soil Color Chart

Meet Your Instructor

Dr. Dina Fonseca

Headshot of instructor Dina Fonseca

Dr. Dina Fonseca is a tenured professor and the current chair of the department of Entomology at Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and a member of the graduate programs in Entomology, Ecology and Evolution, and Microbiology. She is also a member of the Rutgers Global Health Institute, the Rutgers Climate Institute, the Rutgers Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, and the NJ One Health Steering Committee and the NE One Health Regional Consortium developing strategies to reach underserved communities with Public Health training and information. She works on the ecology and control of invasive mosquitoes and ticks and the parasite/pathogens they transmit and was a member of the 2022 National Tick-borne Diseases Working group sub-committee on Tick Ecology, Personal Protection and Control. In addition, she is Director of the Rutgers Center for Vector Biology, a program that provides accreditation, continuing education and broadly supports the extended NJ Mosquito Control community. She also works with residential communities to develop proactive strategies for urban vector surveillance and control, through Citizen science projects – Community AcTS (Action Through Science) and NJTicks4Science! aimed at empowering communities to organize and minimize the proliferation of invasive mosquitoes and limit exposure to ticks and disease agents. 

Student Reviews

“Even though a lot of material is covered in a short amount of time, Mal and Ralph do a great job of teaching a comprehensive course.”

– Past Participant

“I just wanted to compliment Rutgers on such an excellent course: the professionals, the location, and the knowledge. It was fantastic and I truly enjoyed learning all of the ‘science’ and methodology behind what I have been taught to do over the past three (3) decades. I can’t tell you how many ‘light bulbs’ went off in my brain as I absorbed as much as I could. This is a course that I will be certainly recommending to others in the future. Well done.”

– Barbara Wolley-Dillon, Borough of Mantoloking

Most useful aspect of the course: “Quality of the information provided in regards to performing delineations accurately and quickly.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Methodology for Delineating Wetlands was approved for 2.4 Rutgers CEUs (24 contact hours) as well as the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition course is approved for 3.6 Rutgers CEUs (36 contact hours) as well as the following credits from professional organizations.

State of New Jersey map iconNew Jersey

NJ Health Officers and Registered Environmental Health Specialists (HO/REHS): Rutgers University, NJAES, Office of Continuing Professional Education has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Health as a provider of NJ Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours (CEs). A total of 22.50 CEs will be awarded for attending all 6 days (11.25 CEs for attending three days).

NJ / CT Pesticide Applicators: 4 units in 8A, 8B, and 8C

Course Requirements and Policies

electronic devices iconTechnology Requirements

This online course will be delivered via Rutgers Canvas learning management system and Zoom.

Equipment you will need to access this training:

  • Laptop or desktop computers are required for this class.
  • A microphone is required.

Once you register with OCPE, you will receive an email from “Rutgers University Canvas” saying, “Click here to finish the registration process,” to create your new account in the Canvas Virtual Platform. If you do not see this message in your inbox, please check your junk/spam folder. The course shell will not open until a week before the start date of class. You will receive an email from Jill Sullivan with directions and more details for the class.

email iconEmail Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

  • If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
  • If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
    • Your full name
    • The shared email address that needs to be changed
    • Your unique email address
    • A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

camera iconPhoto ID Requirement

Each registrant will be asked provide a photo of him/herself holding their government-issued photo ID. This is required by credit boards so that you may receive credits for participating in this online course.

  • You will receive a reminder email prior to the start of the class with further instructions. Wait to receive these instructions before you attempt to upload your ID.
  • The photo must be clear enough that we can read your name and verify that the person pictured on the ID is in fact the person holding it.
  • After an OCPE staff member reviews the picture and verifies your identity, you will have access to participate in the course when it begins.

x iconCancellations and Substitutions

A $100 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Pamela Springard-Mayer

Program Coordinator: Pamela Springard-Mayer
848-932-7463
pspring@rutgers.edu

Swarm of mosquitos near a green bush

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Close up of an asian tiger mosquito

Mosquito Identification: Focus on the Northeastern US

Salt marsh, mosquito habitat

Professional Mosquito Management Certificate Program

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