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The State of the Art of Lethal Oviposition Trap-Based Mass Interventions for Arboviral Control
Brian J Johnson1,2, Scott A Ritchie3,4, Dina M Fonseca5
1College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, McGregor Rd., Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia. brian.johnson@jcu.edu.au.
Abstract:
The intensifying expansion of arboviruses highlights the need for effective invasive Aedes control. While mass-trapping interventions have long been discredited as inefficient compared to insecticide applications, increasing levels of insecticide resistance, and the development of simple affordable traps that target and kill gravid female mosquitoes, show great promise. We summarize the methodologies and outcomes of recent lethal oviposition trap-based mass interventions for suppression of urban Aedes and their associated diseases. The evidence supports the recommendation of mass deployments of oviposition traps to suppress populations of invasive Aedes, although better measures of the effects on disease control are needed. Strategies associated with successful mass-trap deployments include: (1) high coverage (>80%) of the residential areas; (2) pre-intervention and/or parallel source reduction campaigns; (3) direct involvement of community members for economic long-term sustainability; and (4) use of new-generation larger traps (Autocidal Gravid Ovitrap, AGO; Gravid Aedes Trap, GAT) to outcompete remaining water-holding containers. While to the best of our knowledge all published studies so far have been on Ae. aegypti in resource-poor or tropical settings, we propose that mass deployment of lethal oviposition traps can be used for focused cost-effective control of temperate Ae. albopictus pre-empting arboviral epidemics and increasing participation of residents in urban mosquito control.
Insights
Lethal oviposition traps show promise for controlling invasive Aedes mosquitoes, offering a sustainable alternative to insecticides. Mass deployment, community involvement, and effective strategies can suppress urban mosquito populations and prevent arbovirus spread.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Vector-Borne Disease Control
- Urban Public Health
Background:
- Arbovirus expansion necessitates effective invasive Aedes mosquito control.
- Insecticide resistance and limitations of traditional methods drive the need for novel strategies.
- Lethal oviposition traps offer a promising, targeted approach to gravid female mosquito control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize methodologies and outcomes of recent lethal oviposition trap interventions for urban Aedes suppression.
- To evaluate the potential of mass-trapping with these traps for disease control.
- To propose strategies for effective deployment and application to new settings.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on mass interventions using lethal oviposition traps.
- Analysis of strategies associated with successful trap deployments.
- Evaluation of trap efficacy in targeting gravid female Aedes mosquitoes.
Main Results:
- Evidence supports mass deployment of oviposition traps for Aedes population suppression.
- Successful strategies include high coverage, source reduction, community involvement, and use of advanced traps (AGO, GAT).
- Current studies focus on Ae. aegypti in tropical settings, indicating potential for Ae. albopictus in temperate regions.
Conclusions:
- Mass deployment of lethal oviposition traps is recommended for invasive Aedes suppression.
- Further research is needed to better measure disease control effects.
- These traps can be cost-effectively deployed in temperate urban settings for Ae. albopictus control and community engagement.
