Evaluation of the Cdc Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap for the Surveillance of La Crosse Virus Vectors

ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my committee members, Drs. Sean O'Connell and Maria Gainey, for their consistent assistance and support. I would like to especially acknowledge Dr. Brian Byrd, my research advisor, for becoming my mentor and pointing me towards the path to success. Each one have instilled a greater appreciation for my field of study and equipped me with the skills necessary to continue my career as a scientist. I also thank the following people, without whom this thesis would not have been possible: Charles Sither and Marissa Taylor for their assistance in identifying mosquitoes, Roberto Barrera and Manuel Amador for supplying the traps, Yanju Li for her biostatistics consultation for Aim1, John Sither and Warren Henry for helping deploy the traps, Kathryn Benton for designing the Generalized Linear Mixed Model for Aim 1, and the homeowners for allowing access to their property. Each contribution is extremely appreciated. Additionally, I would like to thank the Graduate School and Biology Department for financially supporting my field work. Lastly, I thank my family for their continued support. I'm blessed to have a family that pushes me to be the best I can possibly be. You all mean the world to me. I cannot thank you enough.