Development and evaluation of an efficient and real-time monitoring system for the vector mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus

Abstract

Background The surveillance of vector mosquitoes is essential for prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases. In this study, we developed an internet-based vector mosquito monitor, MS-300, and evaluated its efficiency for the capture of the important vector mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus, in laboratory and field trials. Methodology/Principal findings The linear sizes of adult Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus were measured and an infrared window was designed based on these data. A device to specifically attract these two species and automatically transmit the number of captured mosquitoes to the internet was developed. The efficiency of the device in capturing the two species was tested in laboratory, semi-field and open field trials. The efficiency results for MS-300 for catching and identifying Ae. albopictus in laboratory mosquito-net cages were 98.5% and 99.3%, and 95.8% and 98.6%, respectively, for Cx. quinquefasciatus. In a wire-gauze screened house in semi-field trials, the efficiencies of MS-300 baited with a lure in catching Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus were 54.2% and 51.3%, respectively, which were significantly higher than 4% and 4.2% without the lure. The real-time monitoring data revealed two daily activity peaks for Ae. albopictus (8:00–10:00 and 17:00–19:00), and one peak for Cx. quinquefasciatus (20:00–24:00). During a 98-day surveillance trial in the field, totals of 1,118 Ae. albopictus and 2,302 Cx. quinquefasciatus were captured by MS-300. There is a close correlation between the number of captured mosquitoes and the temperature in the field, and a positive correlation in the species composition of the captured samples among the mosquitoes using MS-300, BioGents Sentinel traps and human landing catches. Conclusions/Significance The data support the conclusion that MS-300 can specifically and efficiently capture Ae. albopictus and Cx. quinquefasciatus, and monitor their density automatically in real-time. Therefore, MS-300 has potential for use as a surveillance tool for prevention and control of vector mosquitoes.

Innovation in vector control of dengue hemorrhagic fever using portable devices mechanical electric methods

“…Dengue fever morbidity can be reduced by implementing good outbreak prediction and detection through coordinated epidemiological and entomological surveillance [4]. Epidemiological and entomological surveillance is a tool to comprehensively collect and track vectors based on place and time [5] by monitoring vector densities to predict possible epidemics of mosquito-borne diseases and evaluate vector control [6]. This activity is an important component of any integrated mosquito management (IMM) program because this activity helps professionals determine what, when, and where control activities are needed, especially in managing mosquito populations before they become adult mosquitoes [7], [8].…”

Large-scale performance assessment of the BG-Counter 2 used with two different mosquito traps

“…There are a few promising automatic counting devices for mosquitoes. These include different prototypes developed by Chen et al [ 7 ], Lai et al [ 8 ] and Gonzales-Perez et al [ 9 ]. Currently, the BG-Counter (Biogents, Regensburg, Germany) is the only commercially available automatic mosquito counting system.…”

“…Currently, the BG-Counter (Biogents, Regensburg, Germany) is the only commercially available automatic mosquito counting system. Besides the BG-Counter, the prototypes described Lai et al [ 8 ] and Gonzales-Perez et al [ 10 ] are the only ones with published data from the field. For the prototype reported by Lai et al, mosquitoes were collected at two sites in China from May to August 2021.…”