While conducting a mosquito survey in the Sierra Nevada Mountains this past summer, I was approached at our campsite by a father and his children. He asked what I was doing with a microscope and the various tools on the picnic table. I shared that we were surveying for mosquitoes. He followed up with the question — To what end? In an unprepared response, I spouted off some generaliz ations about the need for updated records and being diligent in our search for species range expansions and invasive mosquitoes. He seemed satisfied with the answers and they left. I suspect that for most AMCA members, inquiries like this are common. I generally enjoy interacting with the public and sharing our work. However, the phrase “to what end?” left me unsettled and I stewed over it for the rest of our time in the field. This lightning talk will highlight my struggle with this question in the context of the complexities of our work (and passions).
