Comparison of modified CDC gravid, BG-Bowl, and CDC autocidal gravid ovitraps to collect gravid and host-seeking Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in northeastern Florida

There are several kinds of commercial traps available in the market for surveillance and control of female mosquitoes. Usually these traps target only host-seeking or gravid individuals but not both. This study examined whether CDC gravid, BG-Bowl, and a fan-operated CDC-autocidal gravid ovitrap, each baited with a BG lure and southern live oak (Quercus virginiana Mill.; Fagaceae) leaf litter infusion, could collect host-seeking and gravid Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) simultaneously. These traps were evaluated initially in a semi-field environment that consisted of outdoor screened enclosures where 200 female Ae. aegypti were released (half were gravid). For the field study, traps were placed at 3 sites in downtown St. Augustine, Florida, USA. All traps captured host-seeking and gravid females in the semi-field enclosures, but some did not collect both physiological stages in the field study. Only the BG-bowl trap in the semi-field and field studies collected the greatest number of females that included host-seeking and gravid Aedes.