Sampling with light traps and human bait in epidemic foci for eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus in southeastern...

To estimate human exposure to potential vectors of eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus, we compared collections of putative EEE virus vectors from human biting collections with collections from CDC, AB (American Biophysics), and New Jersey light traps and resting boxes in enzootic/epidemic foci of EEE virus in southeastern Massachusetts. Human biting collections caught significantly more host-seeking females than resting boxes or unbaited light traps (P < 0.05). Regression analysis of human biting collections to AB traps supplemented with CO2 could predict 60-70% of the actual human biting risk by Aedes and Coquillettidia perturbans. The AB traps supplemented with CO2 and octenol could predict 65% of Anopheles biting risk. No single sampling method was accurate for predicting human biting risk by Culex salinarius, and no method could predict human biting risk by all potential vectors surveyed.