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Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory

Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory

University of Florida / IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory Advanced Mosquito Identification and Certification

2025 Dates: March 17-28, 2025

The Advanced Mosquito Identification and Certification Course is a two-week intensive training on the species-level identification of the mosquitoes of North America. The course is held in March each year at the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (UF/IFAS) in Vero Beach, FL. Week 1 focuses on identification of adult female mosquitoes. Week 2 focuses on identification of mosquito larvae. Each week culminates in written and practical exams. Combined grades of 70% must be achieved in order to receive UF/IFAS/FMEL Certification as a Certified Mosquito Identification Specialist. Attending the course does not guarantee certification. All attendees receive certificates of attendance. This is not an introductory course. Students should have prior knowledge of Mosquito Morphology and be familiar with stereo and compound microscopes as well as insect identification keys.

 Burkett lecture 450

Advance Mosquito ID course certificate

 Boathouse 450

Application and Registration

Demand for this course / training is high and space is limited. All persons (UF students and all others) intending to take this course must download and complete the Application Document (MS Word) for the year that you wish to attend. Applications are only accepted October 1 – 31 each year. Applications submitted outside of this period will not be accepted. No advanced registration is permitted. No waiting lists are available. Acceptance will be communicated to applicants in November each year.

2025 Advanced Mosquito ID Application Form

Dates

Each year the FMEL Advanced Mosquito Identification and Certification Course is held during University of Florida's official spring break week and the week following.  To determine dates of the course, use Google or other search engine and search for "UF Academic Calendar 20xx-xx" inserting the years that you are interested in.  Make sure that you are searching for the correct "academic years", which start in fall semester each year.  For example, if you wish to attend the 2022 course, search for "UF Academic Calendar 2021-2022".

Classes

Classes are held Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Many students choose to stay after class or come back to the classroom after dinner to study.

Fees and Payment

Students are accepted to the course in two broad categories:

  1. UF-affiliated students
  2. All others

UF-affiliated students:

  • Any person taking the course for UF course credit. This includes undergraduate students, graduate students, distance students, and course-for-credit students. UF-affiliated students pay for this course through their tuition payment.
  • UF-affiliated students must be enrolled during the term of the course

All-others:

  • Anyone not taking the course for UF course credit. This includes military, mosquito control, private industry, researchers from other institutions, etc. All others pay the course fee of $600.
  • All others must pay the course fee in full by January 31st each year to guarantee their seat in the course.  Course fee payments are made on the internet, via EventBrite.  Approved applicants will be emailed a link for course fee payment. We CANNOT accept cash.  We CANNOT accept out-of-country checks.  Only credit cards, domestic checks or money orders are accepted.

 

 

Housing

Hotels: A number of lodging options are located within a short (10-minute) drive from FMEL.  FMEL is located in the southeastern portion of Vero Beach, along Highway US1 South.  Use your preferred search engine to find convenient lodging.

FMEL Bunkhouse: The FMEL has a Bunkhouse that sleeps 12, 2 to a room, females and males in separate rooms; $100.00 per week for non-UF personnel, $30.00 per week for UF personnel (employees or students of UF). Do not wait until the last minute to make reservations, as these are first come, first served. Residents must bring towels and pillow. Sheets and blankets are provided. Hot plates are not permitted. CONTACT DEBRA WAGNER FOR BUNKHOUSE RESERVATIONS at 772-226-6644 or dewagner@ufl.edu. Do not contact Dr. Burkett-Cadena for bunkhouse reservations.  FMEL Bunkhouse (PDF).

Cancellation policy

We enforce a registration fee cancellation policy due to our long waiting list each year. Last-minute cancellations do not leave time for filling empty seats. Additionally, we purchase the text books and supplies based on reservations for the course.

Cancellations must be made in writing, nburkettcadena@ufl.edu. The amount of refund will be based on the date the written cancellation is received and will be issued as follows:

  • Cancel on or before January 31, 100% ($600.00)
  • Cancel February 1 - March 1, 50% ($300.00)
  • Cancel after March 1, No refund

Materials

Microscopes are provided. Students who wish to bring their own microscopes may do so, however this is not recommended. Textbooks are included in the course fees and will be provided to each student upon arrival.

Meals: Morning and mid-afternoon refreshments provided daily. An end-of-course dinner is included in the tuition.

 

Contact Dr. Nathan Burkett-Cadena at 772-226-6617 or nburkettcadena@ufl.edu.