Dependence of CO2-baited suction trap captures on temperature variations
Petric, D.; Zgomba, M.; Ludwig, M.; Becker, N.
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 11(1): 6-10
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 8756-971X PMID: 7616192 Document Number: 452399
In order to provide better standardized CO2-baited trap sampling methodology, the relationship between sample size and evening temperatures was studied. Adult mosquitoes were collected for 3 h centred on sunset by an automatic interval suction trap baited with CO2 in the Upper Rhine Valley, Germany. Aedes vexans females were most abundant, and their blood-seeking activity showed a significant correlation with the evening's average temperature (r = 0.76, P<=0.01). A higher degree of correlation was obtained when the number of specimens caught was related to temperature indices (r = 0.93-0.98). A regression equation indicated that the lower temperature threshold for A. vexans was between 9 and 10 degrees C. For each degree of increase in the average temperature index, it was estimated that a 5.5% greater number of mosquitoes would be trapped. An upper temperature threshold for this species was not observed at average temperatures <=23 degrees C. A relationship between catches of A. rossicus and A. cinereus and temperatures recorded at the site during the study was not found.