A comparison of trapping methods for adult mosquitoes: species response and environmental influence.

Abstract

Non-attractant methods, truck trap and suction trap, were used to establish population levels for comparison with techniques employing sound, light and human bait as attractants. Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say and Uranotaenia lowii Theobald were taken in greater numbers in suction traps employing sound. Suction traps revealed a higher level of flight activity at full moon that at new moon whereas light trap collections were smaller at full moon. Influence of full moon was reduced for traps located in a forest. Light traps in a forest took larger numbers than light traps in the open at all moon phases. Species which prefer wooded habitats to open areas were also those species least attracted to light traps. Avoidance of, or reduced activity in, areas of higher light intensities resulted in smaller catches of woodland mosquitoes whether the light source was natural or artificial.