A new approach to improve acoustic trapping effectiveness for Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

Monitoring mosquito populations is essential to designing and implementing control strategies. Recent strategies based on releasing biologically modified mosquitoes have increased the need to effectively monitor mosquito abundance. Unfortunately, existing surveillance traps are of limited value due to their high cost and low capture rates. Here, we report the results of experiments designed to evaluate the effectiveness of an acoustic trap prototype. Stimuli synthesized from recordings of Ae. aegypti wingbeat signals and pure tones were evaluated as attractants to males in indoor and semi-field conditions. Overall, the acoustic trap´s efficacy differed significantly between indoor and semi-field conditions. After two hours of indoor recapture, ∼69% of males were collected from acoustic traps broadcasting pure tones while ∼78% of males were collected using synthesized wingbeat signals. Under semi-field conditions, however, acoustic traps collected less than ∼1.7% of the males released. Increasing the intensity of the signals up to 90 dB (SPL re. 20 uPa at 1 m from the trap) did not improve the capture rate under semi-field conditions. Overall, our results indicate that acoustic signals synthesized from recordings of wingbeats can be used to enhance capture of male Ae. aegypti.