Modifying the autocidal gravid ovitrap (AGO) with a powered suction fan and additional lures to increase the collections of released Aedes aegypti and a natural population of Ae. albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Authors: ZHU, DING - Wuxi University; KHATER, EMAD - Ain Shams University Of Cairo; CHAO, SHI - Wuxi University; Dixon, Daniel; BIBBS, CHRISTOPHER - Central Life Sciences; XUE, RUI-DE - Anastasia Mosquito Control District

Submitted to: Journal of Vector Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/21/2019
Publication Date: 11/15/2019
Citation: Zhu, D., Khater, E., Chao, S., Dixon, D.P., Bibbs, C., Xue, R. 2019. Modifying the autocidal gravid ovitrap (AGO) with a powered suction fan and additional lures to increase the collections of released Aedes aegypti and a natural population of Ae. albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae). Journal of Vector Ecology. 44(2):282-284. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvec.12360.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvec.12360

Interpretive Summary: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are two species of mosquitoes that can transmit Dengue, Chikungunya, Yellow fever, and Zika Virus to humans. Despite years of research on their biology and physiology, populations of these two species are proving difficult to control in practice. New tools are continually developed that utilize knowledge-based research to control Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, and one of those new tools is the Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap (AGO). AGOs are designed to simulate an environment where Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus like to lay eggs and kill them upon contact. The traps, although great in concept, have had mixed results in the field. This study aimed to optimize the capture rate of AGOs using fans to suck the mosquitoes into the trap coupled with synthetic human odor attractants and CO2. These modifications to the AGOs significantly increased the capture rate of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus by the trap. These changes to trap design could potentially be implemented in future models of the trap if they can be incorporated in a cost-effective manner.

Technical Abstract: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are two species of mosquitoes that can transmit Dengue, Chikungunya, Yellow fever, and Zika Virus to humans. Despite years of research on their biology and physiology, populations of these two species are proving difficult to control in practice. New tools are continually developed that utilize knowledge-based research to control Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, and one of those new tools is the Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap (AGO). AGOs are designed to simulate an environment where Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus like to lay eggs and kill them upon contact. The traps, although great in concept, have had mixed results in the field. This study aimed to optimize the capture rate of AGOs using fans to suck the mosquitoes into the trap coupled with synthetic human odor attractants and CO2. These modifications to the AGOs significantly increased the capture rate of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus by the trap. These changes to trap design could potentially be implemented in future models of the trap if they can be incorporated in a cost-effective manner.