Field evaluation of a novel synthetic odour blend and of the synergistic role of carbon dioxide for sampling host-seeking Aedes albopictus adults in Rome, Italy

Abstract Background Despite the expanding worldwide distribution of Aedes albopictu s and its increasing relevance as arboviral vector, current methods to collect adult specimens are not optimal. Improved approaches are thus needed to monitor their density and pathogen infections, and to establish b...

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Main Authors: Marco Pombi, Frans Jacobs, Niels O Verhulst, Beniamino Caputo, Alessandra della Torre, Willem Takken
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2014-12-01
Series:Parasites & Vectors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0580-9
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author Marco Pombi
Frans Jacobs
Niels O Verhulst
Beniamino Caputo
Alessandra della Torre
Willem Takken
author_facet Marco Pombi
Frans Jacobs
Niels O Verhulst
Beniamino Caputo
Alessandra della Torre
Willem Takken
author_sort Marco Pombi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Despite the expanding worldwide distribution of Aedes albopictu s and its increasing relevance as arboviral vector, current methods to collect adult specimens are not optimal. Improved approaches are thus needed to monitor their density and pathogen infections, and to establish baseline data for control interventions. A widely used device is the BG-Sentinel (BG-trap) which mostly targets host-seeking females attracted by release of CO2 and/or a synthetic odour blend (the BG lure). We compared the attractiveness of this blend to that of the Mbita (MB5) lure, a new synthetic blend of proven efficiency in attracting Afrotropical malaria vectors, and evaluated the additional effect of CO2 to the two odour baits. Findings We carried out 6x6 Latin square experiments in two Ae. albopictus-infested areas in Rome, baiting the BG-traps as follows: CO2, BG lure, MB5 lure, BG lure + CO2, MB5 lure + CO2, no bait. CO2 was derived from yeast-fermented sugar. Overall, 949 females and 816 males were collected. Baited traps collected significantly more females than unbaited ones. Traps baited with either lures in combination with CO2 were more effective than those baited with CO2 alone. No significant differences were observed in female captures between traps baited with any of the two lures, nor between the two lures, independently from the addition of CO2. The use of BG lure + CO2 significantly increased males catches compared to unbaited traps. Conclusions The results suggest a broad significance of the MB5 lure for sampling medically important mosquito species and highlight the high efficacy of the combination of lures + CO2 for female Ae. albopictus and of BG lure + CO2 for males, leading to consider CO2 as an essential additional cue for the sampling of this species.
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spelling doaj.art-e516991a15294f8f8213ae060a72c2212023-06-04T11:17:48ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052014-12-01711510.1186/s13071-014-0580-9Field evaluation of a novel synthetic odour blend and of the synergistic role of carbon dioxide for sampling host-seeking Aedes albopictus adults in Rome, ItalyMarco Pombi0Frans Jacobs1Niels O Verhulst2Beniamino Caputo3Alessandra della Torre4Willem Takken5Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Università di Roma “Sapienza”Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research CentreLaboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research CentreDipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Università di Roma “Sapienza”Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Università di Roma “Sapienza”Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research CentreAbstract Background Despite the expanding worldwide distribution of Aedes albopictu s and its increasing relevance as arboviral vector, current methods to collect adult specimens are not optimal. Improved approaches are thus needed to monitor their density and pathogen infections, and to establish baseline data for control interventions. A widely used device is the BG-Sentinel (BG-trap) which mostly targets host-seeking females attracted by release of CO2 and/or a synthetic odour blend (the BG lure). We compared the attractiveness of this blend to that of the Mbita (MB5) lure, a new synthetic blend of proven efficiency in attracting Afrotropical malaria vectors, and evaluated the additional effect of CO2 to the two odour baits. Findings We carried out 6x6 Latin square experiments in two Ae. albopictus-infested areas in Rome, baiting the BG-traps as follows: CO2, BG lure, MB5 lure, BG lure + CO2, MB5 lure + CO2, no bait. CO2 was derived from yeast-fermented sugar. Overall, 949 females and 816 males were collected. Baited traps collected significantly more females than unbaited ones. Traps baited with either lures in combination with CO2 were more effective than those baited with CO2 alone. No significant differences were observed in female captures between traps baited with any of the two lures, nor between the two lures, independently from the addition of CO2. The use of BG lure + CO2 significantly increased males catches compared to unbaited traps. Conclusions The results suggest a broad significance of the MB5 lure for sampling medically important mosquito species and highlight the high efficacy of the combination of lures + CO2 for female Ae. albopictus and of BG lure + CO2 for males, leading to consider CO2 as an essential additional cue for the sampling of this species.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0580-9Aedes albopictusMosquitoAdult collectionsBG-sentinel trapAttractionOdour bait
spellingShingle Marco Pombi
Frans Jacobs
Niels O Verhulst
Beniamino Caputo
Alessandra della Torre
Willem Takken
Field evaluation of a novel synthetic odour blend and of the synergistic role of carbon dioxide for sampling host-seeking Aedes albopictus adults in Rome, Italy
Parasites & Vectors
Aedes albopictus
Mosquito
Adult collections
BG-sentinel trap
Attraction
Odour bait
title Field evaluation of a novel synthetic odour blend and of the synergistic role of carbon dioxide for sampling host-seeking Aedes albopictus adults in Rome, Italy
title_full Field evaluation of a novel synthetic odour blend and of the synergistic role of carbon dioxide for sampling host-seeking Aedes albopictus adults in Rome, Italy
title_fullStr Field evaluation of a novel synthetic odour blend and of the synergistic role of carbon dioxide for sampling host-seeking Aedes albopictus adults in Rome, Italy
title_full_unstemmed Field evaluation of a novel synthetic odour blend and of the synergistic role of carbon dioxide for sampling host-seeking Aedes albopictus adults in Rome, Italy
title_short Field evaluation of a novel synthetic odour blend and of the synergistic role of carbon dioxide for sampling host-seeking Aedes albopictus adults in Rome, Italy
title_sort field evaluation of a novel synthetic odour blend and of the synergistic role of carbon dioxide for sampling host seeking aedes albopictus adults in rome italy
topic Aedes albopictus
Mosquito
Adult collections
BG-sentinel trap
Attraction
Odour bait
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-014-0580-9
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