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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #318472
Title: Development and evaluation of an attractive self-marking ovitrap to measure dispersal and determine skip oviposition in Aedes albopictus(Diptera:Culicidae) field populations

Author
item DAVIS, TIMOTHY - University Of Florida
item KAUFMAN, PHILLIP - University Of Florida
item TATEM, ANDREW - University Of Southampton
item Hogsette, Jerome - Jerry
item Kline, Daniel - Dan

Submitted to: Journal of Medical Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/11/2015
Publication Date: 1/1/2016
Citation: Davis, T.J., Kaufman, P.E., Tatem, A.J., Hogsette, Jr, J.A., Kline, D.L. 2016. Development and evaluation of an attractive self-marking ovitrap to measure dispersal and determine skip oviposition in Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Diptera:Culicidae) field populations. Journal of Medical Entomology. 53(1):31-38.

Interpretive Summary: Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is a container-breeding mosquito of public health importance. We used an attractive self-marking oviposition device to assess Ae. albopictus skip oviposition behavior in cages and in the field. The 37 wild-caught Ae. albopictus visited at least two egg laying sites in a single gonotrophic period, providing indirect evidence of skip oviposition. Thus, mosquitoes were not laying all of their eggs in one container. Mean and maximum distances traveled during the 20-day trials were 58-78 m, and 149 m, respectively. Results can be used to improve mosquito management programs.

Technical Abstract: Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is a container-breeding mosquito of public health importance. Its oviposition behavior has been assessed in outdoor conditions, but only with laboratory-reared specimens. We used an attractive self-marking oviposition device to assess Ae. albopictus skip oviposition behavior in large cages and in the field. The 37 wild-caught Ae. albopictus visited at least two oviposition sites in a single gonotrophic period. This provided indirect evidence of skip oviposition. Mean distance traveled was 58-78 m during the 20-day evaluations, with a maximum of 149 m. Results can be used to improve mosquito management programs.