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IMPROVED SURVEILLANCE OF AEDES TRISERIATUS USING THE BG-PRO TRAP: IMPLICATIONS FOR SAMPLING HOST-SEEKING LA CROSSE
Insights
The BG-Pro trap effectively collects Aedes triseriatus, the primary vector for La Crosse virus (LACV), outperforming other traps in host-seeking surveillance. This finding aids in controlling pediatric arboviral encephalitis.
Area of Science:
- Arthropod-borne viral diseases
- Vector surveillance and control
- Medical entomology
Background:
- La Crosse virus (LACV) is a leading cause of pediatric arboviral encephalitis in the United States.
- Effective host-seeking surveillance for primary vectors like Aedes triseriatus and invasive species (Ae. albopictus, Ae. japonicus) is crucial for LACV control.
- Current surveillance methods for these mosquito vectors have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the efficacy of four different host-seeking trap configurations for collecting key mosquito vectors of LACV.
- To identify the most effective trap for surveillance of Aedes triseriatus, the primary vector of LACV.
Main Methods:
- Four trap types were tested: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Light trap, BG-Pro with BG lure, and BG-Sentinel 2 with and without BG lure.
- Two 4x4 Latin square field studies were conducted over 128 trap-days.
- Collected mosquitoes were identified, with a focus on Aedes triseriatus, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. japonicus.
Main Results:
- A total of 436 mosquitoes were collected, with Aedes triseriatus (35.8%) and Ae. albopictus (41.7%) being the most abundant.
- The BG-Pro trap collected approximately three times more female Ae. triseriatus than the CDC Light trap or BG-Sentinel with lure.
- Statistical analysis showed the BG-Pro trap had significantly higher odds (3.02 times) of collecting Ae. triseriatus compared to the CDC Light trap.
Conclusions:
- The BG-Pro trap is a superior option for the surveillance and collection of Aedes triseriatus, the primary vector of La Crosse virus.
- The BG-Pro trap's effectiveness aids in improving LACV vector surveillance strategies.
- Further evaluation of invasive species collection by traps is warranted due to limited sample sizes.
Abstract:
La Crosse virus (LACV) is responsible for the majority of pediatric arboviral encephalitis in the United States. At present there are limited options for host-seeking surveillance for the primary vector (Aedes triseriatus) and, to a lesser extent, two invasive species (Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus) capable of transmitting LACV. We evaluated four host-seeking trap configurations (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] Light trap, BG-Pro with BG lure, and BG-Sentinel 2 with and without BG lure) via two 4 × 4 Latin square field studies. Over the course of 128 trap-days, 436 mosquitoes were collected with the two most common species being Aedes triseriatus (n = 156, 35.8% of total) and Ae. albopictus (n = 182, 41.7% of total). The BG-Pro, on average, collected approximately 3 times more female Ae. triseriatus than the CDC light trap or the BG-Sentinel with BG lure. Similarly, the odds of collecting Ae. triseriatus with the BG-Pro trap were 3.02 times (95% CI: 1.96-4.67) than the CDC light trap; statistically greater than any other trap. There was no statistical difference in the odds of collecting Ae. triseriatus by the BG-Sentinel 2 (irrespective of lure presence) when compared to the CDC light trap as the reference. There was no difference in the odds of collecting Ae. albopictus using the BG-Sentinel 2 (OR: 4.62, 95% CI: 2.76-7.74) or the BG-Pro (3.06, 95% CI: 1.78-5.24) when compared to the CDC light trap as the reference. The limited collection of Ae. japonicus precluded any meaningful comparisons. Taken together, the BG-Pro trap should be considered for the surveillance or collection of the primary LACV vector, Ae. triseriatus.
