Authors: Casey Parker1*, Alex Chaskopoulou1,2,4, Max Fotakis3, Rebecca Baldwin1, Roberto Pereira1 & Philip Koehler1
1 Department of Entomology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
2 USDA-ARS European Biological Control Laboratory, Thessaloniki, Greece
3 Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
4 Perrotis College, American Farm School, Thessaloniki, Greece
* corresponding author
Abstract:- Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito, is known to flourish in a variety of habitats including residential and agricultural areas and is a competent vector for at least 22 different arboviruses including all 4 serotypes of dengue. Its global distribution, anthrophilic nature, and vector competency makes it a species of interest for control.
In 2014, a surveillance and control research program was initiated targeting Aedes albopictus populations within the premises of the American Farm School (AFS) of Thessaloniki, a 45ha diverse field environment consisting of 2 distinct zones: agricultural and residential. This medium size field site serves as a representative model site of a typical Greek rural city where agricultural and residential practices co-exist.
Activity patterns of wild mosquito populations were studied using three different surveillance methodologies: standard ovitraps, CDC light traps baited with dry-ice, and BG Sentinel traps. Traps were placed simultaneously in both zones to determine temporal and spatial distribution of Aedes albopictus.
Understanding the distribution and behavioral patterns of mosquitoes in the field is a prerequisite for designing a targeted and well-timed control strategy. Ovitraps with adulticiding activity have been used in recent years for the control of Aedes albopictuspopulations with encouraging results. A novel lethal ovitrap with combined larviciding and adulticiding effects (dual action) was designed to specifically target Aedes albopictus.
The trap resulted in high adult mosquito mortalities (100%) during laboratory cage studies targeting gravid female Aedes albopictus and successfully prevented all deposited eggs from hatching. The final step of this study is to test the capacity of this novel dual action lethal ovitrap in controlling wild Aedes albopictus populations in the field.
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The post Activity patterns of Aedes albopictus within a diverse environment of residential and agricultural activity and introduction of a new lethal ovitrap for controlling wild vector populations, Thessaloniki, Greece, 2014. appeared first on International Pest Control Magazine.