An interview with Prof. Josh Kurek on Sackville’s most infamous insect
Mosquitoes in Sackville have seemed especially intense this summer – but why? Josh Kurek, professor in the Mt.A department of geography and environment, said in an interview with The Argosy that heat, humidity, and consistent rain are the main factors contributing to elevated mosquito populations.
While other regions across Canada have had hot and humid summers, other factors unique to regions like Tantramar have added to this mosquito invasion. Kurek says Sackville is likely seeing “an aggressive species that lives in brackish water near the coast, and also an aggressive species that lives in fresh water.” Larger cities like Moncton have fewer areas of natural growth and greenery, giving mosquitoes fewer habitats to breed.
“Mosquitoes need standing or pooled water to complete their life cycle,” Kurek said, noting their life cycle is temperature dependent. Because this summer brought both high temperatures and increased precipitation, Kurek says the marshes and flatlands became a breeding ground for “30-40 species of mosquitoes in the Maritimes.”
“With the species that hatches at this time of year, normally we have two to three days of intense mosquitoes,” Kurek said. “But this year, it’s been consistent throughout much of August and early September.” While past summers had only short periods of large populations, this summer saw much longer, month-long swarms.
Although some residents have reported a seemingly higher mosquito population this year, Kurek described that this is difficult to prove. “The last time a comprehensive survey was done [in Sackville] was about 20 years ago,” Kurek said. He noted his concerns about the mosquito population due to disease risk. “We need to monitor and understand mosquitoes and their populations in which species are becoming more common in our area,” Kurek said.
Kurek said researchers at Acadia University have performed recent comprehensive surveys of the Maritime provinces. “They found that there are new mosquito species in this area, which they suspect are moving into the region due to global environmental changes, such as climate warming,” Kurek said. “The environmental conditions are favouring the mosquitoes that are not present in this part of the world.”
While this mosquito takeover has been generally annoying for Sackville residents, it has been beneficial for the local environment. “[Mosquitoes] have a role in the ecosystem as a food item,” Kurek said. “They often can pollinate certain plants. So, not all mosquitoes require a blood meal.” Kurek also listed frogs, salamanders, and fish among animals that consume mosquitoes.