Verifying the efficiency of the Biogents Sentinel trap in the field and investigating microclimatic influences on responding Aedes aegypti behavior.

Abstract

Successful surveillance and control of mosquito arbovirus vectors requires effective and sensitive trapping methods for adult insects. The Biogents Sentinel (BGS) trap is widely used for mosquito trapping but has low capture efficiency for both female and male Aedes aegypti under semi-field conditions. Efficiency refers to the proportion of mosquitoes that are trapped of those encountering the trap. We verified the efficiency of the BGS under field conditions in suburban Riverside, California, U.S.A., following our previous work determining the efficiency under semi-field conditions in Cairns, Northern Australia. The efficiency of the BGS with CO₂ and a human skin odor mimic (BG-Lure) for both Ae. aegypti sexes in the field was 9%. This closely aligns with the results of our previous study, the efficiency for females being 5% and males being 9%. In the present study microclimatic conditions were monitored and capture occurred during periods of significantly lower mean temperature. There were no discernible changes in wind directionality or strength in the 60 s leading up to mosquito capture by the BGS. Our results support our previous findings that capture efficiency of the BGS for Ae. aegypti is low.