Effects of Cut Juniper Trees on Mosquito Populations in South Central Texas

2014 
Abstract. Aromatic cedar from eastern red cedar trees (Juniperus virginiana L.) contains chemicals that are toxic and repel some insects. In South-central Texas and the Texas Hill Country, Ashe juniper (Juniperus asheii J. Buchholz) is the prominent species in the Cupressaceae family and commonly found in landscaping mulch. This study evaluated the effects of cut and shredded Ashe juniper on abundance of mosquitoes during 5 weeks at Hardberger Park in San Antonio, TX. A total of 55 mosquitoes were collected in nontreated sites, and 76 total mosquitoes in treated sites over the five week period. Fifteen species of mosquitoes were identified. A mean of 4.8 mosquitoes were collected nightly in untreated sites and 4.9 in treated sites. Mosquitoes of various species were not affected by fresh-cut mulch from Ashe juniper over time.
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