Name--Population Ecology: The Texas Mosquito Mystery
Watch the video and answer the questions below.
01 Crash Course Ecology 02 Population ecology The Texas mosquito mystery
or
Alternate video site
1. The West Nile Virus affected Dallas, TX in 2011 and 2012, but in 2012 the numbers were
much higher. How many cases/deaths of West Nile were there in TX in 2011 and 2012?
2. List the 4 factors needed by mosquitos?
3. Which two may have caused the increase in population in 2012?
4. What type of limiting factor would the Mexican Free Tailed bat be to the mosquitos and
explain the relationship?
5. How would thunderstorms affect the mosquito population?
6. What is exponential growth?
7. Can a population grow exponentially forever? Why or why not?
8. What is logistic growth?
9. What is the formula for the Rate of Growth?
10. Based on the hypothetical numbers, what was the growth rate of mosquitoes? Percent
of growth?
11. In your own words, describe why 2012 had the biggest problem with West Nile Virus.