Mosquitoes have buzzed off for now, says Calgary bug expert
Hot temperatures have dried up spring breeding areas for bloodsuckers
A University of Calgary's bug expert says the city's spring mosquito population has not been able to breed like bunnies.
"There's a lot fewer out there," said John Swann, manager of the invertebrate collections at the university.
He says a relatively dry winter and spring means there is less standing water for the insects to lay their eggs.
But that doesn't mean we're in the clear.
"The summer ones that come out are typically in semi-permanent and permanent water bodies. So if we get lots of rain, we're still going to have issues with the summer species," said Swann.
And those are the species of mosquitoes that entomologists have to keep their eye on.
"The ones I'm more concerned about, terms of West Nile virus, are the ones that come out in July and August," said Swann.
He adds that the bloodsuckers are an important part of the ecosystem, providing a "good meal" for larger bugs and birds.