Discrepancies between Aedes aegypti identification in the field and in the laboratory after collection with a sticky trap

• Published in: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Vol. 109; no. 6
• Main Authors: Maciel-de-Freitas, Rafael, da Silva Lima, Arthur Weiss, Araújo, Simone Costa, Lima, José Bento Pereira, Galardo, Allan Kardec Ribeiro, Honório, Nildimar Alves, Braga, Ima Aparecida, Coelho, Giovanini Evelim, Codeço, Claudia Torres, Valle, Denise
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz 23-01-2015
• Subjects: Aedes aegypti; dengue vector; entomological surveillance; MosquiTRAP
• ISSN: 1678-8060

Currently, sticky traps are regularly employed to assist in the
surveillance of Aedes aegypti infestation. We tested two alternative
procedures for specimen identification performed by local health
agents: directly in the field, as recommended by certain manufacturers,
or after transportation to the laboratory. A total of 384 sticky traps
(MosquiTRAP) were monitored monthly during one year in four
geographically representative Brazilian municipalities. When the same
samples were inspected in the field and in the laboratory, large
differences were noted in the total number of mosquitoes recorded and
in the number of specimens identified as Ae. aegypti by both
procedures. Although field identification has the potential to speed
vector surveillance, these results point to uncertainties in the
evaluated protocol.