Evaluation of a Nonanal-Trimethylamine Lure for Collection of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Gravid Traps

• Published in: Journal of medical entomology Vol. 50; no. 3; pp. 619 - 623
• Main Authors: Irish, S. R., Moore, S. J., Bruce, J., Birkett, M. A., Cameron, M. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Entomological Society of America 01-05-2013; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Aldehydes - pharmacology; Analysis; Animals; bait traps; ChemTica; Culex - drug effects; Culex - physiology; Culex quinquefasciatus; Disease transmission; Drinking water; Female; filariasis; grasses; gravid trap; Male; Methylamines - pharmacology; monitoring; Mosquito Control - instrumentation; Mosquito Control - methods; Mosquitoes; nonanal; oviposition; pathogens; Pheromones - pharmacology; tap water; trimethylamine; VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES, SURVEILLANCE, PREVENTION; Tanzania
• ISSN: 0022-2585; 1938-2928
• DOI: 10.1603/ME12229

Gravid traps are useful tools for monitoring vector-borne pathogens in mosquitoes, particularly for those pathogens transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus Say. One of the primary challenges in the use of gravid traps is the necessity of the inclusion of an oviposition attractant, usually an infusion of organic material, which changes in attractiveness over time. However, a standardized lure, using nonanal and trimethylamine (N + TMA), has been developed and is commercially available. The N + TMA lure was tested against grass infusion and tap water in Tanzania, where Cx. quinquefasciatus is a vector of lymphatic filariasis. Traps baited with grass infusion collected significantly more mosquitoes than N + TMA-baited traps, which collected significantly more than traps baited with tap water. The advantages and disadvantages of the standardized lure are discussed.