May 15, 2012
DAVIS--Tara Thiemann, postdoctoral researcher in the William Reisen lab at UC Davis, will speak on "Survey of Culex Bloodfeeding Patterns in California" at the next UC Davis Department of Entomology seminar, set from 12:10 to 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 23 in 122 Briggs. Host is medical entomologist William Reisen.
As a postdoctoral researcher, Thiemann is involved with Reisen on studies investigating novel assays to identify current and emerging arboviruses in California.
Abstract of her talk: "Culex tarsalis and members of the Culex pipiens complex are the primary vectors of West Nile virus (WNV) in California. Both mosquito species feed on a variety of avian hosts, as well as disease-susceptible mammals, such as horses and humans, so determining the bloodfeeding patterns of these mosquitoes is a critical component in understanding the transmission dynamics of WNV throughout the state."
"Bloodmeals from over 2500 mosquitoes were identified using with a novel Luminex® assay or DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I (COI). Spatial differences in Culex bloodfeeding were examined throughout California, and nearly 100 different vertebrate (avian, mammalian and reptilian) host species were identified."
"Variation in bloodfeeding patterns primarily resulted from differences in host availability and abundance. Several species, including House Sparrow, House Finch, Mourning Dove, and Domestic Dog, were frequent hosts throughout the state, and highly competent corvids, Western Scrub-Jay, Yellow-billed Magpie, and American Crow, were fed upon more frequently than in previous studies. WNV-competent avian hosts were fed upon in each study area and throughout the seasons. By feeding on competent hosts and humans, Cx. tarsalis and the Cx. pipiens complex could serve as both enzootic and epidemic vectors of WNV in California."
Biosketch: Thiemann received her doctorate in entomology in 2011 from UC Davis (Designated Emphasis in Biology of Vectorborne Diseases). Her doctoral dissertation: “Bloodfeeding Patterns of Culex tarsalis and the Culex pipiens complex in California.” Thiemann received her master's degree in biology (2003) and her bachelor's degree in biology (2011) from Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo.
Thiemann is a member of the Entomological Society of America, Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California, and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
Her awards and honors include:
- Young Investigator Award 2nd Place, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2010
- Reeves Student Research Award, Mosquito & Vector Control Association of California, 2010
- Hazeltine Student Research Award, UC Davis Department of Entomology, 2010 and 2008
- Best Overall Poster, Luminex Planet xMAP, 2010
- President’s Prize 2nd Place Poster, Entomological Society of America, 2008
- Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship, 2001
- President’s Prize 1st Place Oral, Entomological Society of America, 2001
- Valedictorian, Truman State University, 2001
- Second Place, Missouri State Science Fair, Junior Division, 1993
Peer-Reviewed Publications:
Thiemann, T.C., D.A. Lemenager, S. Kluh, B.D. Carroll, H.D. Lothrop and W.K. Reisen. 2012. Spatial variation in the host feeding patterns of Culex tarsalis and the Culex pipiens complex in California (Diptera: Culicidae). Journal of Medical Entomology. (In press)Thiemann, T. C., A. C. Brault, H. B. Ernest, and W. K. Reisen. 2012. Development of a high-throughput microsphere-based molecular assay to identify 15 common bloodmeal hosts of Culex mosquitoes. Molecular Ecology Resources 12: 238-246.
Thiemann, T. C., and W. K. Reisen. 2012. Evaluating sampling method bias in Culex tarsalis and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) bloodmeal identification studies. Journal of Medical Entomology 49: 143-149.
Thiemann, T. C., S. S. Wheeler, C. M. Barker, and W. K. Reisen. 2011. Mosquito host selection varies seasonally with host availability and mosquito density. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 5: e1452.
Thiemann, T.C., B.M. Nelms, and W.K. Reisen. 2011. Bloodmeal host congregation and landscape structure impact the estimation of female mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) abundance using dry ice-baited traps. Journal of Medical Entomology 48:513-517.
Montgomery, M.J., T.C. Thiemann, P. Macedo, D.A. Brown, and T.W. Scott. 2011. Blood-Feeding Patterns of the Culex pipiens Complex in Sacramento and Yolo Counties, California. Journal of Medical Entomology 48: 398-404.
Reisen, W. K., T. Thiemann, C.M. Barker, H.L. Lu, B. Carroll, Y. Fang, and H.D. Lothrop. 2010. Effects of Warm Winter Temperature on the Abundance and Gonotrophic Activity of Culex (Diptera: Culicidae) in California. Journal of Medical Entomology 47: 230-237.
Elnaiem, D.E. A., K. Kelley, S. Wright, R. Laffey, G. Yoshimura, M. Reed, G. Goodman, T. Thiemann, L. Reimer, W.K. Reisen, and D. Brown. 2008. Impact of aerial spraying of pyrethrin insecticide on Culex pipiens and Culex tarsalis (Diptera : Culicidae) abundance and West Nile virus infection rates in an urban/suburban area of Sacramento County, California. Journal of Medical Entomology 45: 751-757.
Lawler, S.P., L. Reimer, T. Thiemann, J. Fritz, K. Parise, D. Feliz, and D.E. Elnaiem. 2007. Effects of vegetation control on mosquitoes in seasonal freshwater wetlands. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 23: 66-70.
Seminar Coordinators:
Coordinators of the spring seminars are Louie Yang and Joanna Chiu, assistant professors. All lectures will take place on Wednesdays from 12:10 to 1 p.m. in 122 Briggs Hall. The series, launched April 4, will continue through May 23.In a webcast project coordinated by professor James R. Carey, the seminars will be videotaped and can be accessed at a later date on UCTV.
The complete list of speakers for the April 4-June 6 seminars:
April 4: Ian Pearse, who just finished his doctorate, working with major professor Rick Karban lab, UC Davis, will speak on "The Use of Non-Native Plants by Native Herbivores."
Host: Rick Karban, professor, UC Davis Department of EntomologyApril 11: James Harwood, graduate student, James R. Carey lab, UC Davis,"Biodemography of Reproductive Senescence in Fruit Flies (Tephritidae): The Influence of External Conditions on Age Specific Reproduction and Lifespan"
Host: James R. Carey, professor, UC Davis Department of EntomologyApril 18: Bryony C. Bonning, professor, Iowa State University, "Novel Toxin Delivery Strategies for Management of Pestiferous Aphids"
Host: Bruce Hammock, distinguished professor, UC Davis Department of EntomologyApril 25: Vince Jones, professor, Washington State University. "How a 'Perfect Storm' of Technology, Legislation, and Applied Ecology Is Finally Leading to IPM in Western Orchards"
Host: Michael Parrella, professor and chair, UC Davis Department of EntomologyMay 2: Susan Cobey, bee breeder-geneticist at UC Davis and Washington State University, "Importation of Honey Bee Germplasm to Increase Genetic Diversity in Domestic Breeding Stocks"
Host: Eric Mussen, Extension apiculturist, UC Davis Department of EntomologyMay 9: Cancelled. Sonia Altizer's talk will now be June 6
May 16: James C. Nieh, professor of biology, University of California, San Diego, "Role of Negative Signaling in a Superorganism: the Honey Bee Stop Signal"
Host: Brian Johnson, assistant professor, UC Davis Department of EntomologyMay 23: Tara Thiemann, postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis, William Reisen lab, "Survey of Culex Bloodfeeding Patterns in California"
Host: William Reisen, research entomologist, Center for Vectorborne Diseases, and adjunct professor, Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology (PMI), School of Veterinary MedicineMay 30: Nathan Muchhala, post-doctoral fellow, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb., “Bats, Birds, and Bellflowers: The Evolution of Specialized Pollination in the Neotropics”
Host: Jessica Forrest, Neal Williams labJune 6: Sonia Altizer, professor, University of Georgia, "Infection and Immunity in Migratory Species: Monarchs as a Global Case Study" (Rescheduled from May 9)
Host: Louie Yang, assistant professor, UC Davis Department of EntomologyContact information:
Louie Yang: (530) 754-3261 or lhyang@ucdavis.edu
Joanna Chiu: (530) 752-1839 or jcchiu@ucdavis.edu
--Kathy Keatley Garvey
Communications specialist
UC Davis Department of Entomology
(530) 754-6894