Dependence of CO2-baited suction trap captures on temperature variations

Area of Science:

• Medical Entomology
• Environmental Science
• Climate Science

Background:

• Standardized mosquito sampling is crucial for effective vector control and disease surveillance.
• Understanding environmental factors influencing mosquito populations aids in predicting and managing outbreaks.
• CO2-baited traps are commonly used for mosquito collection, but their efficiency can vary.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between evening temperatures and CO2-baited trap sample sizes for mosquitoes.
• To establish temperature thresholds and correlations for predicting mosquito abundance, specifically Aedes vexans.
• To improve the standardization and reliability of CO2-baited mosquito trap data.

Main Methods:

• Adult mosquitoes were collected using an automatic interval suction trap baited with CO2.
• Trapping was conducted for 3 hours centered on sunset in the Upper Rhine Valley, Germany.
• Statistical analyses, including correlation and regression, were used to assess the relationship between mosquito catches and temperature data.

Main Results:

• Aedes vexans female abundance showed a significant positive correlation with average evening temperatures (r = 0.76, P < 0.05).
• Higher correlations were observed between mosquito numbers and temperature indices (r = 0.93-0.98, P < 0.01).
• The lower temperature threshold for Aedes vexans was determined to be between 9-10°C, with a 5.5% increase in catches per degree Celsius rise.

Conclusions:

• Evening temperature is a significant predictor of Aedes vexans abundance in CO2-baited trap samples.
• Temperature indices provide a more robust correlation for predicting mosquito catches than average temperatures alone.
• No significant temperature-related correlation was found for Aedes rossicus and Aedes cinereus during this study.