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Bibbs CS, Casci K, Widmer TD, Dewsnup MA, Jay K, Meredith KD, Faraji A, Vickers NJ. Dancing in the purple rain: color affinity and oviposition choices in Aedes sierrensis (Diptera: Culicidae). Environ Entomol 2024; 53:77-84. [PMID: 38170874 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvad124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
The western tree hole mosquito, Aedes sierrensis (Ludlow) (Diptera: Clucidae), is a pestiferous mosquito with a range extending over the entire pacific seaboard and into portions of the intermountain west. As a peridomestic heartworm vector, it demands at least some level of surveillance to understand its abundance. However, the species is refractory to a majority of conventional vector surveillance approaches for tracking mosquitoes. To find more options for Aedes sierrensis surveillance, a variety of oviposition attractants were evaluated in arena-style choice assays using colony reared adults. A range of infusion treatments (e.g., alfalfa, oak, and beetroot) were examined and then combined with investigations of liquid color as well as ovicup color and entryway position. These studies revealed that Ae. sierrensis have an affinity for purple coloration, plain water, and larger entryway sizes for oviposition cups. A prototype ovicup was 3D-printed using purple filament and multiple types of entryways, and used to re-test infusion waters. No particular attraction differences were detected after normalizing for purple color. Comparisons to black 3D-printed cups yielded surprising observations that male mosquitoes also aggregated on purple cups while females sheltered, but not necessarily oviposited, in black cups. Although this was only a laboratory-based assessment, these studies provide useful information for future field trials of potential oviposition traps for surveillance of Ae. sierrensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S Bibbs
- Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, 2215 North 2200 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, USA
- College of Science, Science Research Initiative, University of Utah, 1390 Presidents Circle, Crocker Science Center, Rm. 310, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kai Casci
- College of Science, Science Research Initiative, University of Utah, 1390 Presidents Circle, Crocker Science Center, Rm. 310, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Thomas D Widmer
- Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, 2215 North 2200 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, USA
| | - M Andrew Dewsnup
- Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, 2215 North 2200 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, USA
| | - Kaia Jay
- College of Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Rm. 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Kirsten D Meredith
- College of Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Rm. 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ary Faraji
- Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District, 2215 North 2200 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, USA
- College of Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Rm. 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Neil J Vickers
- College of Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, 257 South 1400 East, Rm. 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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Dewsnup MA, Widmer TD, Branham EJ, Faraji A, White GS, Bibbs CS. Do It Yourself: A Modernized Gravid Trap Design for Mosquito Surveillance. J Am Mosq Control Assoc 2023; 39:231-235. [PMID: 38108427 DOI: 10.2987/23-7133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Gravid traps have become a common and frequently essential surveillance tool for parous Culex spp. vectors of West Nile virus and other encephalitis-causing pathogens. The recent closing of BioQuip Products Inc., an entomological supply company, has jeopardized the commercial availability of gravid traps. The Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District presents herein a template for making your own gravid trap, but with some modernizations for quieter fans and longer lasting, light weight, lithium battery packs. At the time of writing, the materials cost for the fan ($14 USD), toolbox ($13), cables ($9), ABS pipe ($2.50), aluminum brackets ($10), catch container with lid ($9), trap net ($10), USB battery pack ($35) and the negligible amount of 3D-printed filament ($2), is approximately half the cost (not including labor) of the formerly available commercial model. Additionally, performance validation in the laboratory (t4,9 = 0.1191, P < 0.9109) and within two field sites (χ2 = 0.107, P < 0.744) demonstrated no significant differences in collections of gravid Culex pipiens. We do not present an overhaul of the previous gravid trap blueprint, but the quality-of-life updates to the trap design, the feasibility of in-house manufacture, and the mirrored collection efficacy to the commercial model can allow improved maintenance of gravid trap surveillance networks without a commercial supplier.
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