Mosquito Identification: Focus on the Northeastern US

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NEW COURSE! This four-day hands-on course provides participants with the essential skills and knowledge to accurately identify mosquito species prevalent in New Jersey using taxonomic keys.

Close up of an asian tiger mosquito

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Mosquito Identification: Focus on the Northeastern US
Course Code: AE0612CA26
Date of Most Recent Offering: January 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2026

Date: January 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Check-in time on Day 1: 8:30 am)

Location: Headlee Research Laboratories, 180 Jones Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map)
Format: Classroom course with hands-on microscope use

Registration Fee: $975 per person
Mosquito Management Certificate Program Discount: $850 per person (must also register for Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition and Mosquito Surveillance and Management Strategies)

Registration closes: January 7, 2026

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.

Being able to rapidly identify mosquito specimens to the species level is critical for implementing effective surveillance and management strategies. This four-day hands-on course provides participants with the essential skills and knowledge to accurately identify mosquito species prevalent in New Jersey using taxonomic keys. Classes will be held daily from 9:00 amto 3:00 pm in a state-of-the-art, microscope-equipped classroom located on the Rutgers campus in New Brunswick.

Day 1
  • The Mosquito Tree of Life:
    • Aedes vs. Ochlerotatus
    • Using Dichotomous keys
    • Basic use of a stereomicroscope
    • Larval identification to genus (all)
    • Larval mosquito species ID part 1:
    • Anopheles, Culiseta, Coquillettidia, Orthopodomyia, Psorophora, Toxorhynchites, Uranotaenia, Wyeomyia
Day 2
  • Larval mosquito species ID part 2: Culex
  • Larval mosquito species ID part 3: Aedes
Day 3
  • Larval mosquito species ID part 3 cont’d (if necessary): Aedes
  • Adult mosquito identification to genus (all)
  • Adult mosquito species ID part 1: Anopheles, Culiseta, Coquillettidia, Orthopodomyia, Psorophora, Toxorhynchites, Uranotaenia, Wyeomyia
  • Adult mosquito species ID part 2: Culex
Day 4
  • Adult mosquito species ID part 3: Aedes

NOTE: At the end of the course, participants will be evaluated with a final exam.

Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Mosquito Surveillance

Module 2: Mosquito Surveillance Techniques

Module 3: Pathogen Surveillance in Mosquitoes

Module 4: Data Analysis and Interpretation

Module 5: Mosquito Control Strategies

Module 6: Case Studies, Best Practices, Emerging Technologies

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 Identification: Focus on the Northeastern US 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. Dana Price

Headshot of instructor Dr. Dana Price

Dr. Price’s work focuses on functional genomic analyses of vector arthropods and their holobiont – that is, the host and assemblage of commensal organisms (viruses, bacteria and eukaryotes) that live within and around them. This often involves identifying, characterizing and surveilling emerging zoonotic infectious diseases within arthropod hosts as well as the environment.

Current major research initiatives include:
• Novel means of rapid and non-destructive vector-borne pathogen sampling and discovery.
• Reverse-vaccine development targeting invasive arthropods.
• Tick-borne disease dynamics and discovery in a rapidly changing landscape.
• Genotyping and spatiotemporal distribution of arthropod-borne viruses.

Dr. Price holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a doctoral degree in vector biology from Rutgers University.

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 Mosquito Identification: Focus on the Northeastern US was approved for 2.0 Rutgers CEUs (20 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 Identification: Focus on the Northeastern US course is approved for 2.0 Rutgers CEUs (20 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). Participants who complete this education program (must attend all four days) will be awarded 18.0 NJ Public Health Continuing Education Contact Hours (CEs).

NJ / CT Pesticide Applicators: 9 units each in 8A, 8B, and 8C

Course Requirements and Policies

Meals

No meals will be provided at this course.

coronavirus icon COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

Red checkmark in circle iconPre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

Icon of map marker over folded mapLocation Changes

Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

Red car iconCampus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

  • A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
  • When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
  • All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.

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

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 Identification: Focus on the Northeastern US, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Headshot of Rutgers Program Coordinator Pamela Springard-Mayer

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

Mosquito Biology, Ecology, and Habitat Recognition

Swarm of mosquitos near a green bush

Mosquito Surveillance and Management Strategies

Salt marsh, mosquito habitat

Professional Mosquito Management Certificate Program

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