Diel activity patterns of adult female mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) determined by a novel rotated trap in northeastern Florida, U.S.A.

ABSTRACTA novel rotator trap was evaluated to determine the diel activity patterns and physiological state of adult female mosquitoes in St. Augustine, FL, U.S.A.Culex nigripalpus were most active from 19:00 ‐21:00, followed by 1:00‐3:00, based on collections from the novel rotator trap. Furthermore, analysis of the physiological state of female mosquitoes collected by the novel rotator trap suggested that non‐parous (nulliparous) host‐seeking mosquitoes were more frequently active in the 21:00‐ 23:00 and 09:00‐19:00 time frames. Parous host‐seeking mosquitoes were more frequently collected from 19:00‐21:00 and 1:00‐3:00. A low abundance of gravid females was collected by the rotator trap, so analysis of their activity periods was inconclusive. These results indicate that the novel rotated trap could be used to detect the diel activity patterns of adult mosquitoes in mosquito control programs and more testing should be conducted in the future.

Source: Journal of Vector Ecology - May 22, 2019 Category: Biology Authors: Shi Chao, Ding Zhu, Daniel Dixon, Emad Khater, Rui ‐De Xue Tags: Original Article Source Type: research