Efficacy of Novel Updraft Traps for Collection of Mosquitoes in Cairns, Australia

Abstract

We conducted trials in Cairns, Australia, to examine if novel updraft light traps collected significantly more mosquitoes than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) model 512 miniature light trap. Two new updraft traps, the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) Mozzie Trap and a CDC updraft trap, both collected significantly more mosquitoes than the standard CDC light trap, with a mean CDC Trap Index (trap collections relative to paired standard CDC light trap collections) of 3.3 and 2.3, respectively. These traps both had large horizontal suction areas that increased the probability that attracted mosquitoes entered the trap updraft. However, if the CO2 source was located within the updraft of the CDC updraft trap, mosquito collections decreased considerably, indicating that placement of the bait is critical to trap performance. Creating an updraft by simply inverting the CDC trap body did not increase collections. The Mosquito Magnet X trap also did not collect significantly more mosquitoes than the CDC trap. Two CDC light traps sharing a 600 ml CO2/min gas line collected ca. 50% more mosquitoes than a single CDC trap baited with 600 ml CO2/min, suggesting that a single gas source could be used on a trap line consisting of multiple trap units. These studies suggest that the optimal trap design should incorporate a CO2 release system that lures mosquitoes to a large updraft within a bowl-shaped trap intake.