What is GLOBE Mosquito Habitat Mapper?

GLOBE Mosquito Habitat Mapper is an app-based tool that will help you document mosquito habitats and identify mosquito types. Once you have downloaded the GLOBE Observer app and created an account, the Mosquito Habitat Mapper tool will guide you through the observation process. The main required element is to look for a possible mosquito breeding habitat (standing water or somewhere water could collect), and report if you see any mosquito larvae in the water. Optionally, you can sample and count the larvae and try to identify the mosquito type, both of which will require additional equipment. Even a basic observation without optional elements is valuable! If possible, we also ask you to eliminate the mosquito breeding habitat. For more details about how to take observations, including tips and tricks, additional tutorials beyond what is in the app, and frequently asked questions about how to observe, visit the Taking Observations page. Our Resource Library includes additional activities, references, videos and book lists.

Why are my observations important?

Mosquitoes are a serious health risk: millions of people die each year from mosquito-borne disease. While climate and weather conditions can suggest to scientists where to expect spikes in mosquito populations during the year, we don’t know for sure what is happening unless we make observations on the ground. By reporting possible mosquito habitats through the app, GLOBE Observers are able to augment broad scale satellite-based research with highly targeted local ground-based observations. 

Student Research

In addition to research done by professional scientists, because GLOBE Observer is part of The GLOBE Program, which is active in thousands of schools across the world, citizen scientists are strengthening science education by providing data for student research.

Here are a few examples of student research reports related to mosquitoes:

"Citizen Science in the School Environment: Implementation of the Mosquitoes Protocol of the GLOBE Program in Pinheiro, Maranhão, Brazil," by the Research Group on Bioeconomy, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Education, and Health (BAITES) at the Federal University of Maranhão and students from various schools around the state of Maranhão; submitted to GLOBE on 01 March 2026 [in Portuguese]

"Geospatial Analysis of Aedes aegypti Breeding Sites and Basic Sanitation Conditions in the Municipality of Pinheiro, Maranhão, Brazil, Using Citizen Science and GLOBE Protocols" by students of GLOBE Teacher João Santos at the Federal University of Maranhão; submitted to GLOBE on 30 January 2026. [in English]

"A Study of Mosquito Larval indices of containers that serve as breeding grounds for Mosquitoes in Ban Nong Lung" by Priyaphat Wrwisetchart, Phuttaraksa Pengthong, Partitra Wisachai, Natthanan Pilai from Phakmaiwittayanukul school; students of Darunee Samerpak and Samruan Samerpak; submitted to GLOBE on 30 January 2026. [in English]

"Monitoring Mosquito Presence Using a Low-Cost Trap and the GLOBE Program" by Ademar Neto, Jennifer Sousa, Sarah Lustosa from Colegio Militar Tiradentes V Timon MA; students of Sandro Nascimento; submitted to GLOBE on 30 January 2026 [in English]

"Local Climate Change and the Proliferation of Mosquitoes: an Approach Using the GLOBE Observer" by students from Centro Estadual de Educação Profissional Professora Lourdinha Guerra; GLOBE teacher Ewerton Richard Fernandes Teixeira; submitted to GLOBE on 30 January 2026 [in English]

For a full listing of research reports on mosquitoes, visit the GLOBE Student Research Reports page (filtered by Mosquitoes protocol).