return to product info & pricing

Mosquito Slayer (MS), Mosquito Magnet Pro (MM) and Centers for Disease Control light(CDC) in north Queensland.            Dr. Scott Richie PHD.

RESULTS

 All traps collected large numbers of mosquitoes and sandflies (Tables 1-2). The primary species collected (Ochlerotatus, Verrallina and Culex are major nuisance species and important vectors of Ross River virus and Japanese encephalitis (only Culex annulirostris and Cx. gelidus). TheCulicoides collected (primarily C. ornatus) are important nuisance species in N Queensland. The MosquitoSlayer + satellite unit resulted in higher collections of mosquitoes than either the Mosquito Magnet or the CDC trap. The MM consistently collected the highest number of sandflies.( however all machines had significant sandfly catches).The MS also collected large numbers of nontarget insects (Table 2). Either alone or with the satellite, nontarget insects represented about 50% of the total collection. Many of these insects were large moths or beetles, and even cicadas were occasionally collected. These insects were likely attracted to the lights on the front of the MS trap,( however the UV light can easily be removed from any trap to eradicate the collection of non-target insects if required...with often, very minimal effect regarding mosquito catches ) Collections of nontarget insects by the MMand the CDC traps were conversely very low (2.9% and 2.4%, respectively). This reflects the lack of light with the MM and only a small light (6 volt torch light partially blacked out with felt marker) on the CDC trap.

METHODS

All traps were run according to manufacturer's standard conditions, with 500 cc/min CO2 supplemented to the CDC light trap. The CDC light trap is the gold standard for routine mosquito collection in the USA. The MS was run with a supplementary satellite unit (main unit and satellite) fed from a common CO2 source. Thus, there were 3 different traps (MS + satellite, MM, andCDC) on a trap night. Traps were set 50 m apart and positions changed nightly so that each trap was located at each position once to correct for positional effects. Octenol was not employed with any trap.

Traps were set in a swampy area near Yorkeys Knob, ca. 15 km north of Cairns, from 21-24 Jan.2003. Mosquitoes were identified to species while other insects categorised by order. Because the screen on the collection bag was too large, no sandfly collections were made using the CDCtrap.

COMPARISON OF THE MOSQUITO SLAYER, MOSQUITO MAGNET PRO AND THE CDC

LIGHT TRAP IN NORTH QUEENSLAND

Scott A. Ritchie, PhD

On behalf on the Edward Koch Foundation

PO Box 2964

Cairns 4870

21 May 2003