Evaluation of the New Modular Biogents BG-Pro Mosquito Trap in Comparison to CDC, EVS, BG-Sentinel, and BG-Mosquitaire Traps

ABSTRACT Mosquito surveillance is an essential component of mosquito control and mosquito traps are a universally employed tool to monitor adult populations. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the new modular Biogents BG-Pro mosquito trap (BGP) and compare its performance to 4 widely used traps for adult mosquitoes: the BG-Sentinel (BGS), the BG Mosquitaire (BGM), the CDC miniature light trap (CDC), and the encephalitis vector survey trap (EVS). One semi-field and 9 field Latin square trials were performed in 7 countries. Results showed that the collection performance of the BGP was equivalent to or exceeded that of the BGS, BGM, CDC, and EVS traps in head-to-head comparisons. The BGP uses 35% less power than the CDC and 75% less than the BGS and BGM. This lower power consumption allows it to run at 5 V for 2 days using a small lightweight 10,000-mAh rechargeable power bank. The BG-Pro is an excellent alternative for the surveillance of mosquito species that are usually monitored with BG-Sentinel, CDC, or EVS traps.

A Process-Based Model with Temperature, Water, and Lab-derived Data Improves Predictions of Daily Mosquito Density

While the number of human cases of mosquito-borne diseases has increased in North America in the last decade, accurate modeling of mosquito population density has remained a challenge. Longitudinal mosquito trap data over the many years needed for model calibration is relatively rare. In particular, capturing the relative changes in mosquito abundance across seasons is necessary for predicting the risk of disease spread as it varies from year to year. We developed a process-based mosquito population model that captures life-cycle egg, larva, pupa, adult stages, and diapause for Culex pipiens and Culex restuans mosquito populations. Mosquito development through these stages is a function of time, temperature, daylight hours, and aquatic habitat availability. The time-dependent parameters are informed by both laboratory studies and mosquito trap data from the Greater Toronto Area. The model incorporates city-wide water-body gauge and precipitation data as a proxy for aquatic habitat. This approach accounts for the nonlinear interaction of temperature and aquatic habitat variability on the mosquito life stages. We demonstrate that the full model predicts the yearly variations in mosquito populations better than a statistical model using the same data sources. This improvement in modeling mosquito abundance can help guide interventions for reducing mosquito abundance in mitigating mosquito-borne diseases like the West Nile virus.

Quantitative PCR assay for the detection of Aedes vigilax in mosquito trap collections containing large numbers of morphologically similar species and phylogenetic analysis of specimens collected in Victoria, Australia

Background Aedes vigilax is one of the most significant arbovirus vector and pest species in Australia’s coastal regions. Occurring in multiple countries, this mosquito species occurs as a species complex which has been separated into three clades with two detected in Australia. Until recently, Ae. vigilax has largely been absent from Victoria, only occasionally caught over the years, with no reported detections from 2010 to 2016. Complicating the detection of Ae. vigilax is the shared sympatric distribution to the morphologically similar Ae. camptorhynchus, which can exceed 10,000 mosquitoes in a single trap night in Victoria. Currently, there are no molecular assays available for the detection of Ae. vigilax. We aim to develop a quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the detection of Ae. vigilax, with the specificity and sensitivity of this assay assessed as well as a method to process whole mosquito traps. Methods Trapping was performed during the 2017–2020 mosquito season in Victoria in two coastal areas across these 3 consecutive years. A qPCR assay was designed to allow rapid identification of Ae. vigilax as well as a whole mosquito trap homogenizing and processing methodology. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to determine which clade Ae. vigilax from Victoria was closest to. Results Aedes vigilax was successfully detected each year across two coastal areas of Victoria, confirming the presence of this species. The qPCR assay was proven to be sensitive and specific to Ae. vigilax, with trap sizes up to 1000 mosquitoes showing no inhibition in detection sensitivity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Ae. vigilax from Victoria is associated with clade III, showing high sequence similarity to those previously collected in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. Conclusions Aedes vigilax is a significant vector species that shares an overlapping distribution to the morphologically similar Ae. camptorhynchus, making detection difficult. Here, we have outlined the implementation of a specific and sensitive molecular screening assay coupled with a method to process samples for detection of Ae. vigilax in collections with large numbers of non-target species. Graphical abstract

FIELD COMPARISON OF AUTOCIDAL GRAVID OVITRAPS AND IN2CARE TRAPS AGAINST AEDES AEGYPTI IN DOWNTOWN SAINT AUGUSTINE, NORTHEASTERN FLORIDA

Mosquito Control programs are utilizing cost-effective long term autocidal gravid traps because they minimize labor needs while targeting the gravid population of container-breeding mosquitoes. This field study compared the efficacy of the In2Care Mosquito Trap and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention autocidal gravid ovitrap (CDC-AGO). The study consisted of two control and two treatment sites, and each treatment site had either 100 In2Care Mosquito Traps or 100 CDC-AGOs. Aedes aegypti populations in each site were monitored using Biogent (BG) Sentinel 2 mosquito traps and ovitraps. Analysis of pre- and post-treatment data indicated no significant difference in adult mosquito populations detected by BG traps from either the In2Care or CDC-AGO sites. However, the mean number of eggs collected by ovitraps showed significant reduction in both trap type treated areas posttreatment, compared to pre-treatment. Furthermore, the mean number of egg collections from the In2Care mosquito trap treated area was much less than the collection from the CDC-AGO trap treated area post-treatment.

Development and Validation of a Three-Dimensional Printed Multifunctional Trap for Surveillance of Mosquitoes

ABSTRACT An essential component of vector-borne disease monitoring programs is mosquito surveillance. Surveillance efforts employ various collection traps depending on mosquito species and targeted life-history stage, i.e., eggs, larvae, host-seeking, resting, or gravid adults. Surveillance activities often use commercial traps, sometimes modified to accept specific mosquito species attractants. The advent of widely available and affordable 3D printing technology allows the construction of novel trap designs and components. The study goal was to develop and assess a cost-effective, multipurpose, 6-volt mosquito trap integrating features of both host-seeking and gravid mosquito traps to collect undamaged live specimens: a multifunctional mosquito trap (MMT). We tested the MMT in comparison to commercial traps, targeting gravid Aedes albopictus, host-seeking Ae. albopictus, and total number of host-seeking mosquitos regardless of species. Field evaluations found the MMT performed as well as or better than comparable commercial traps. This project demonstrates an easy to construct, inexpensive, and versatile mosquito trap, potentially useful for surveying multiple mosquito species and other hematophagous insects by varying attractants into the MMT.

Response of Culex pipiens pallens to Visual and Olfactory Stimuli from a Mosquito Trap

ABSTRACT This study examined Culex pipiens pallens responses to different combinations of colors and chemicals employed via a mosquito trap under semifield conditions. Our results indicated that Cx. p. pallens has color and chemical concentration preferences. Culex p. pallens had a 38.0% greater response to white than black color treated traps. Further, Cx. p. pallens showed differences in olfactory attraction depending on the chemical and concentration. Culex p. pallens was 107.6% more attracted to traps employing 500 ppm ammonia than control (i.e., unscented). Similarly, Cx. p. pallens was 117.5%, 128.8%, and 140.3% more attracted to traps employing, respectively, 1,000, 10,000, and 20,000 ppm of ammonia hydrogen carbonate compared to controls. And the response to lactic acid showed that Cx. p. pallens was most attracted to concentrations of 100 and 500 ppm (135.7% and 142.9%, respectively) compared to controls.

Laboratory and Field Performance of Five Cost-Effective Commercial Light Traps for Capturing Mosquitoes In China

BackgroundMosquito traps for household use are popular because they are small, cost-effective, user friendly, and environmentally friendly. At present, there are many variations and specifications of mosquito traps intended for household use on the market. Their labels claim they are powerful, but research and evaluation of their claims is lacking.MethodsThis article tested the key parameters, the laboratory capture rate, and the greenhouse field capture rate of 5 popular mosquito traps intended for household use,and compared them with the BG-trap, used by professionals to monitor mosquitoes in the field.ResultsThe study found that the wavelength of 395–400 nm had a better capture rate for Culex quinquefasciatus. In the laboratory experiment, the capture rate was between 34.7%-65.0%. The analysis showed that the total radiance, fan speed, and design of the air guide of the traps are important factors that affect the mosquito catch rate. Field tests in the greenhouse found that the 5 mosquito traps had low catch rates for Aedes albopictus. The average percentage of Cx. quinquefasciatus, Ae. albopictus, Anopheles Sinensis, and other flying insects captured every night was 51.76%, 25.29%, 14.12%, and 8.82%. There was no significant difference in the capture rate of Ae. albopictus by the 5 mosquito traps in the greenhouse, while the mosquito species captured during the same period by the human landing catch method were all Ae. albopictus, suggesting that the dominant species of mosquitoes in the greenhouse was Ae. albopictus. The comparison experiment of mosquito trap 5, with the highest capture rate in the laboratory simulation and greenhouse site, and the BG-trap in the morning, afternoon, and night showed that the capture rate of the BG-trap on Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus was higher than that of mosquito trap 5. Combined with the results of the human landing catch method during the same period, it showed that the BG-trap can more accurately reflect the composition of the mosquito community.ConclusionsAccording to this study, it is suggested that the current 395–400 nm wavelength mosquito traps are not suitable for mosquito control measures in the domestic indoor environment where Ae. albopictus is the dominant species. The mosquito traps intended for household use can be improved by increasing the fan speed and optimizing the air guide. With a higher catch rate, the BG-trap is more suitable for mosquito monitoring than the UV-trap.

PENGENDALIAN DEMAM BERDARAH DENGUE DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN MODEL TERINTEGRASI PENGENDALIAN VEKTOR TOTAL BERBASIS MASYARAKAT DAN STICKY AUTOCIDAL MOSQUITO TRAP

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is still a health problem in Indonesia, including in West Kalimantan Province. The Integrated Model of Community-Based Total Vector Control (PVTBM) and Sticky Autocidal Mosquito Trap (SAMT) is expected to reduce the density of larvae, so that the incidence of dengue can be reduced to the lowest point in the endemic area of Pontianak. This study analyzed the effects of the PVTBM-SAMT integrated model in controlling dengue vectors in endemic areas of Pontianak City. This type of research is Interrupted time series with a nonequivalent no-treatment control group time series. The sample of this study was 200 houses, consisting of 100 houses in the intervention area and 100 houses in the control area. The results showed a decrease in the mean larval density index in the intervention area, namely; HI was 25%, CI was 11.17%, BI was 38%. Statistical analysis showed that the PVTBM-SAMT integration model had a significant effect on the density of larvae: HI, CI, and BI with p values: 0.049, 0.047, and 0.042. It is recommended that the health office and primary health care be able to apply the PVTBM-SAMT method in controlling DHF vector activities and also in the implementation of surveillance and control of Aedes aegypti vector. Abstrak Demam Berdarah Dengue (DBD) masih menjadi masalah kesehatan di Indonesia, termasuk di Provinsi Kalimantan Barat. Aplikasi Model Terpadu Pengendalian Vektor Total Berbasis Masyarakat (PVTBM) dan Sticky Autocidal Mosquito Trap (SAMT) bertujuan menurunkan densitas Larva. Penelitian ini menganalisis efek model terintegrasi PVTBM-SAMT dalam pengendalian vektor DBD di wilayah endemis Kota Pontianak. Jenis penelitian ini adalah eksperimen murni dengan rancangan Interrupted time series with a nonequivalent no-treatment control group time series. Sampel penelitian ini sebanyak 200 rumah, terdiri dari 100 rumah di wilayah intervensi dan 100 rumah di wilayah pembanding. Hasil penelitian menunjukan terjadi penurunan rerata indeks kepadatan larva pada wilayah intervensi yaitu; HI sebesar 25%, CI sebesar 11,17%, BI sebesar 38% dan wilayah pembanding. Analisis statistik terdapat perbedaan densitas larva: HI, CI, dan BI sebelum dan sesudah perlakuan secara signifikan dengan nilai p: 0,049, 0,047, dan 0,042. Dinas kesehatan dan puskesmasisarankan dapat menerapkan metode PVTBM-SAMT dalam kegiatan pengendalian vektor DBD dan juga dalam pelaksanaan surveilans serta pengendalian vektor Aedes aegypti.

MENINGKATKAN ANGKA BEBAS JENTIK MENGGUNAKAN OVITRAP DI UPT KESMAS SUKAWATI II KABUPATEN GIANYAR

ABSTRACT. Ovitrap which has been widely known as a mosquito trap tool has not been widely used by the people of Bali. The introduction of ovitrap to the Batubulan Kangin Village community is the goal of community service activities in order to be able to use cheap, easy, and safe mosquito trap equipment, with the hope that it will be able to increase the rate of larval free. The method used by the Team is to provide counseling and provide training in making ovitraps and placing ovitraps inside and outside the home. The results of community service activities succeeded in increasing public knowledge about the benefits of ovitrap, how to make ovitrap, attractants and how to install it around their homes. The counseling and training activities held in the Batubulan Kangin Village Office Hall, Sukawati District, Gianyar regency attended by 52 people consisting of Puskesmas Staff, Jumantik, Village Health Cadres, and Hamlet Heads. Of the 9 Jumantik who took part in the outreach activities, immediately conducted socialization and invited 71 residents to use Ovitrap in their homes.Besides succeeding in changing the public's knowledge about mosquito eradication techniques, this service also succeeded in increasing the larva free rate from 54.9% to 95.8%.Keywords: ovitrap, attractant, larva free number