In Minnesota, how many species of mosquitoes are known to occur?

In Minnesota, how many species of mosquitoes are known to occur?

• A. 30
• B. 75
• C. 50
• D. 60

Answer: (C)

Understanding how many mosquito species occur in a state hinges on field surveys and taxonomic work. Minnesota’s environment, with wetlands, forests, and urban areas, supports a moderate diversity of mosquito species. The count of known species is fifty, which sits in the middle of the given options. This figure comes from compiled records of captured and identified specimens over many years by extension services, universities, and public health agencies, with updates as new species are verified or ranges revised. Knowing this mid-range diversity matters for control programs because different species have distinct breeding habitats and seasonal patterns, so surveillance coverage needs to reflect that variety. The other numbers misrepresent Minnesota’s typical level of species richness according to current entomological records.

Understanding how many mosquito species occur in a state hinges on field surveys and taxonomic work. Minnesota’s environment, with wetlands, forests, and urban areas, supports a moderate diversity of mosquito species. The count of known species is fifty, which sits in the middle of the given options. This figure comes from compiled records of captured and identified specimens over many years by extension services, universities, and public health agencies, with updates as new species are verified or ranges revised. Knowing this mid-range diversity matters for control programs because different species have distinct breeding habitats and seasonal patterns, so surveillance coverage needs to reflect that variety. The other numbers misrepresent Minnesota’s typical level of species richness according to current entomological records.