Overlooking the Alaka‘i Plateau from the Alaka‘i Swamp trailhead, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i.
Dennis LaPointe
Specialty: Wildlife Disease, vector-borne avian disease, mosquito ecology, avian ectoparasites, Hawaiian passerines, aquatic invertebrates, field investigations, diagnostics, identification
Research Interests: Wildlife disease and conservation biology; ecology of arthropod vectors of disease and ectoparasites; evolution of host-vector-pathogen interactions; parasite mediated sexual selection in birds; climate change and vectored disease; West Nile virus; invasive biology of mosquitoes; Wolbachia pipientis in vector and disease control; aquatic invertebrate ecology; native insect conservation; zoonotic disease; control/management of vector borne disease
Personal Interests: House maintenance, grocery shopping, yard and pet care, child rearing and personal financing
Science and Products
eDNA to Inform Invasive Mosquito Distribution
We are using environmental DNA samples to assess habitat occupancy of the invasive southern house mosquito in Kīpahulu Valley, Maui. An understanding of mosquito distribution is critical to developing and implementing tools to prevent the transmission of avian malaria, a primary threat to Hawaiian forest birds.
Identifying Genetic Diversity of Wolbachia Bacteria for Mosquito Control
We are sequencing the DNA of Wolbachia bacteria found in mosquito populations in Hawai’i and those used for mosquito control. We are also developing sample processing techniques to increase the efficiency and accuracy of monitoring mosquito control efforts to help long-term survival and restoration of Hawaiian forest bird populations.
Predicting and Mitigating the Threat of Avian Disease to Forest Birds at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Hawaiʻi’s native forest birds are known worldwide for their diversity and beauty. Unfortunately, many species are heading towards extinction because of bird malaria spread by mosquitoes introduced over a century ago. Remaining populations of these highly threatened forest birds tend to be at high elevations near the tree line on mountains, where cooler temperatures limit mosquitoes and...
New Technologies and Groundwork for Mosquito Control in the Alakai Plateau
Introduced mosquito-borne avian diseases, avian pox and avian malaria, are key limiting factors for endemic Hawaiian forest birds and are, in part, likely responsible for past extinctions and the continued decline of extant species populations. In the last 40 years on the island of Kaua‘i a number of species have become increasingly rare and several are now presumed extinct. Coinciding with these...
Avian Pathogens and Vectors - Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
While the Hawaiian avian disease system has been well-studied in the forests of the older section of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO), and in many other locations throughout the state, nothing was known about avian disease in the new Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the adjacent Kau Forest Reserve. The high elevation forests of Kahuku are the only habitat located on...
Mosquito Vectors of Dengue and Zika Viruses in Hawaii National Parks
Six species of biting mosquitoes have been introduced to the Hawaiian Islands since Western contact, two of which are vectors of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Environmental conditions favorable for the transmission of dengue and Zika occur year-long across Hawai‘i’s coastline. To better understand the ecology of vector mosquitoes and support public health efforts, mosquito monitoring at...
Disease Ecology In the Pacific Basin: Wildlife and Public Health Concerns
Both wildlife and human health in Hawai‘i and other island ecosystems in the Pacific Basin face continued threats from introductions of diseases and vectors. Accidental introduction of mosquito-borne avian malaria and pox virus to Hawai‘i is an outstanding example of how biological invasions can have a profound effect on endemic wildlife. The geographic distribution, density, and community...
Overlooking the Alaka‘i Plateau, Kaua‘i
Overlooking the Alaka‘i Plateau from the Alaka‘i Swamp trailhead, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i.
Science and Products
eDNA to Inform Invasive Mosquito Distribution
We are using environmental DNA samples to assess habitat occupancy of the invasive southern house mosquito in Kīpahulu Valley, Maui. An understanding of mosquito distribution is critical to developing and implementing tools to prevent the transmission of avian malaria, a primary threat to Hawaiian forest birds.
Identifying Genetic Diversity of Wolbachia Bacteria for Mosquito Control
We are sequencing the DNA of Wolbachia bacteria found in mosquito populations in Hawai’i and those used for mosquito control. We are also developing sample processing techniques to increase the efficiency and accuracy of monitoring mosquito control efforts to help long-term survival and restoration of Hawaiian forest bird populations.
Predicting and Mitigating the Threat of Avian Disease to Forest Birds at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
Hawaiʻi’s native forest birds are known worldwide for their diversity and beauty. Unfortunately, many species are heading towards extinction because of bird malaria spread by mosquitoes introduced over a century ago. Remaining populations of these highly threatened forest birds tend to be at high elevations near the tree line on mountains, where cooler temperatures limit mosquitoes and...
New Technologies and Groundwork for Mosquito Control in the Alakai Plateau
Introduced mosquito-borne avian diseases, avian pox and avian malaria, are key limiting factors for endemic Hawaiian forest birds and are, in part, likely responsible for past extinctions and the continued decline of extant species populations. In the last 40 years on the island of Kaua‘i a number of species have become increasingly rare and several are now presumed extinct. Coinciding with these...
Avian Pathogens and Vectors - Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
While the Hawaiian avian disease system has been well-studied in the forests of the older section of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO), and in many other locations throughout the state, nothing was known about avian disease in the new Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the adjacent Kau Forest Reserve. The high elevation forests of Kahuku are the only habitat located on...
Mosquito Vectors of Dengue and Zika Viruses in Hawaii National Parks
Six species of biting mosquitoes have been introduced to the Hawaiian Islands since Western contact, two of which are vectors of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Environmental conditions favorable for the transmission of dengue and Zika occur year-long across Hawai‘i’s coastline. To better understand the ecology of vector mosquitoes and support public health efforts, mosquito monitoring at...
Disease Ecology In the Pacific Basin: Wildlife and Public Health Concerns
Both wildlife and human health in Hawai‘i and other island ecosystems in the Pacific Basin face continued threats from introductions of diseases and vectors. Accidental introduction of mosquito-borne avian malaria and pox virus to Hawai‘i is an outstanding example of how biological invasions can have a profound effect on endemic wildlife. The geographic distribution, density, and community...
Overlooking the Alaka‘i Plateau, Kaua‘i
Overlooking the Alaka‘i Plateau from the Alaka‘i Swamp trailhead, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i.
Overlooking the Alaka‘i Plateau from the Alaka‘i Swamp trailhead, Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i.