Effects of a natural marsh fire on larval populations of Culex Salinarius in east Texas

A natural marsh fire caused by lightning suppressed Culex salinarius larval populations for 2 months following the fire. Removal of emergent vegetation and higher water temperatures rendered burned-area pools unsuitable either for larval development or deposition of eggs or both. With a drop in seasonal ambient temperature and a regrowth of emergent vegetation, the burned areas returned to being suitable larval development sites for Culex salinarius. no differences in water salinity or pH were observed between burned and unburned locations.