Arshad Ali, Ph.D.
Professor of Entomology
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The goal of this program is the Integrated Management of Pestiferous Chironomidae (Blind Mosquitoes). Several small and large midge habitats (lakes) in central Florida are being monitored for immature chironomid populations. Sediments and water chemistry of these habitats is simultaneously being studied to understand the ecology of chironomid larvae.

Mesotrophic, eutrophic, and hypereutrophic lakes are included in the investigations to understand larval spatial and seasonal distributions of pestiferous species of midges in these polluted and ecologically diverse habitats and develop predictive models for the larval population distributions.

Physical and cultural, biological, and chemical control strategies are being developed for population management of pestiferous adult Chironomidae. Specifically, adult midge behavior to light, larval feeding habits, midge predatory fish, and new midge larvicides and insect growth regulators are being investigated. Also, adverse effects of chemical control agents on nontarget organisms in experimental and actual field situations is being studied for development and practical use of these materials.