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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #234376
Title: Ovitrap Efficacy Using Plant Infusions to Monitor Vertical Distribution of Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae) in North-Central Florida

Author
item OBENAUER, P. - UNIV. FLORIDA
item KAUFMAN, P. - UNIV. FLORIDA
item Allan, Sandra - Sandy
item Kline, Daniel - Dan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/5/2009
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: The response of Aedes albopictus to ovitraps containing water, oak or oak-pine was evaluated in four suburban and four sylvatic habitats in North-Central Florida to ascertain potential egg-laying heights. A total of 48 ovitraps were suspended at 1 and 6 meters and monitored weekly for five months. Throughout our study, we collected 13,276 mosquito eggs representing five species, from four genera; the most common being Ae. albopictus, Ochlerotatus triseriatus and Orthopodomyia signifera. Significantly more eggs were oviposited in containers with oak and oak-pine infusions compared to water alone. Though not statistically different, more eggs were laid in ovitraps containing an oak-pine infusion than an oak only infusion. While significantly more Ae. albopictus eggs were recovered from traps at 1 m than at 6 m in suburban habitats, no significant differences between heights were detected in sylvatic habitats. Our study demonstrates that Ae. albopictus oviposition behavior for height preference was influenced by its habitat. In addition, our study demonstrates that significantly more Ae. albopictus and Oc. triseriatus eggs were recovered from ovitraps baited with infusions, than ovitraps containing water alone. Furthermore, the use of suspended ovitraps can prevent ant and snail predation of mosquito eggs, thereby providing a better assessment of their presence and prevalence in a particular area.