Rutgers scientists have developed a new mosquito trap which will attract and capture both the highly invasive Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) and Culex spp. (a key vector of West Nile Virus in New Jersey). The trap captures mosquitoes that are exhibiting oviposition (predominantly Culex spp.) AND host-seeking (predominantly Ae. Albopictus) behaviors in an urban environment. The battery-operated trap utilizes a commercially available host attractant lure (e.g. lactic acid) and two motorized fans that exhaust air (and lure attractants) from the box to generate suction. The vacuum generated by the fans captures hostseeking mosquitoes at a tube positioned at the top of the trap and due to the positioning of a “stinkwater” pan beneath the trap mosquitoes attempting to oviposit are captured at a tube positioned at the bottom of the trap. Because the mosquitoes are not drawn through the fan blades they are not damaged as they are in most traps which complicates identification. The trap is easily transported and set up and also incorporates a contrasting black and white design that is highly attractive to mosquitoes.
Alternative to chemical insecticides.