VectorMap - Walter Reed Biosystematics Unit

VectorMap is a unique resource for collection records, distribution models, and other geospatial data relating to arthropods of biomedical importance designed to inform risk assessments of vector-borne diseases. Comprising ~0.95 million collection records and over 500 ecological niche and disease risk models, VectorMap also hosts environmental and climate data related to vector ecology.

VectorMap contributes to the global knowledge of vector-borne disease threats by applying museum curation standards to collection data and making it publicly available. In addition to high-quality collection data, VectorMap also routinely updates and hosts environmental variables used for modeling vector distributions and disease transmission. Currently, there is no other single resource for vector distribution data that provides this level of transparency and quality control.

Data use conditions

We ask that users of data hosted on VectorMap adhere to the following: museum data records may be used by individual researchers or research groups, but they may not be repackaged, resold, or redistributed in any form without the express written consent of a curatorial staff member of the participating institution. If any of these records are used in an analysis, report, presentation, etc., the provenance of the original data must be acknowledged and the specific institutions' curatorial staff and VectorMap notified. The individual institutions, VectorMap, and their staff are not responsible for damages, injury or loss due to the use of these data.

Publications and presentations resulting from the use of VectorMap data should list the names of each institution whose data were used, and VectorMap (http://vectormap.si.edu) as the portal by which the data were accessed or downloaded. The citation also should list the date that the data were accessed via VectorMap. Users should refer to individual institutional policies on proper citation of data from those providers if these are present.

Example: Data were obtained from records held in the following institutions and accessed through the VectorMap data portal (http://www.vectormap.si.edu) on 15 August 2020: National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC; University of Queensland Insect Collection, Brisbane; Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, etc.

A key product of VectorMap is the Vector Hazard Report (VHR). VHRs combine information from VectorMap and other WRBU web products to generate targeted entomological intelligence. VHRs are generally divided into three categories: Regional Profiles, Country Profiles and Spotlight Reports. Country Profiles contain detailed information about multiple arthropod vector species including distribution maps, identification resources and biological profiles. Country Profiles also contain background on vector-borne diseases, geospatial data related to vector ecology and often vector control and personal protective equipment recommendations. Spotlight Reports are brief announcements targeting a specific vector species hazards such as invasive species introductions and vector-borne disease outbreaks. Spotlight Reports provide targeted information about a specific arthropod vector species’ biology, distribution and identification intended for rapid responses to emerging threats.

How to record and submit your data to VectorMap

The VectorMap team has established a standardized data entry schema with over 90 fields of information based on Darwin Core standards. This schema can be used to organize collection data and ensure that all records can be evaluated for individual users needs. The schema can also be adapted for use on several platforms including web-based data entry forms and mobile devices.

The VectorMap team has developed a Best Practices Guide to Reporting Entomological Surveillance Results to VectorMap which provides details on each data entry field including examples. We also provide a MS Excel data entry form. These documents will summarize the minimum essential data requirements for contributing your data to VectorMap but also include fields for ancillary observations. Once completed you can submit your data to Mr. Alex Potter.