ABSTRACT
The mosquito species of any given area occupy a vast array of habitats and, as a group, withstand extreme environmental conditions. Mosquitoes are common inhabitants of natural wetlands, so their invasion of constructed wetland systems should be expected. The constructed wetlands sampled for mosquito production are located in western Kentucky. Several different insecticides were tested in the wetlands to compare efficacy and to devise a treatment schedule. The mosquito composition of natural wetlands is highly variable because of extreme diversity in types of habitat that different wetlands contain. The great influx of organic matter and the associated production of microorganisms in the constructed wetlands appears to be the major factor influencing mosquito density differences between natural and constructed wetlands. The species of mosquitoes found breeding in large numbers in the constructed wetlands at Benton and Pembroke raise concern about increased potential for disease outbreak.
