The federal government is recruiting “citizen scientists” in hopes of mapping the mosquito-borne Zika virus’s next move.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Service calls it the Invasive Mosquito Project. When it’s fully up and running, hopefully by this fall, scientists will have a real-time map showing mosquito populations nationwide.
Research entomologist Lee Cohnstaedt says volunteers will be asked to collect mosquito larvae with small containers and paper towels and submit the findings to experts for verification.
“We also want to educate the individuals on how they can protect themselves and what their role is. You know, wearing repellent, long sleeves, emptying containers around their houses.”
Pilot programs began last year in the Florida Keys and Manhattan Kansas. School districts and volunteer groups will be big players, Cohnstaedt says. Volunteers can go to “www.citizenscience.us,”
