Response of Adult Mosquitoes to Light-emitting Diodes Placed in Resting Boxes and in the Field

Bentley, Michael T.; Kaufman, Phillip E.; Kline, Daniel L.; Hogsette, Jerome A.

doi:10.2987/08-5815.1

Cited by 31 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…), similar to blood‐feeding mosquitoes (Bentley et al. ), frog‐biting midges do not show this behavior and in fact respond by decreasing their movements in response to light (McMahon et al. unpub.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Acoustic Preference of Frog‐Biting Midges (Corethrella spp) Attacking Túngara Frogs in their Natural Habitat

2016

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In many animals, males aggregate to produce mating signals that attract conspecific females. These leks, however, also attract eavesdropping predators and parasites lured by the mating signal. This study investigates the acoustic preferences of eavesdroppers attracted to natural choruses in a Neotropical frog, the t ungara frog (Engystomops pustulosus). In particular, we examined the responses of frog-biting midges to natural variation in call properties and signaling rates of males in the chorus. These midges use the mating calls of the frogs to localize them and obtain a blood meal. Although it is known that the midges prefer complex over simple t ungara frog calls, it is unclear how these eavesdroppers respond to natural call variation when confronted with multiple males in a chorus. We investigated the acoustic preference of the midges using calling frogs in their natural environment and thus accounted for natural variation in their call properties. We performed field recordings using a sound imaging system to quantify the temporal call properties of males in small choruses. During these recordings, we also collected frog-biting midges attacking calling males. Our results revealed that, in a given chorus, male frogs calling at higher rates and with higher call complexity attracted a larger number of frog-biting midges. Call rate was particularly important at increasing the number of midges attracted when males produced calls of lower complexity. Similarly, call complexity increased attractiveness to the midges especially when males produced calls at a low repetition rate. Given that female t ungara frogs prefer calls produced at higher repetition rates and higher complexity, this study highlights the challenge faced by signalers when increasing attractiveness of the signal to their intended receivers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Acoustic Preference of Frog‐Biting Midges (Corethrella spp) Attacking Túngara Frogs in their Natural Habitat

2016

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“…gambiae s.l. as well as males are obtained by collection of resting mosquitoes [39,40]. This accounts for the use of resting boxes, pyrethrum spray catches, clay pots and manual aspiration of resting mosquitoes especially in studies associated with the estimation of the entomological inoculation rate [36,41].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molasses as a source of carbon dioxide for attracting the malaria mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus

Mweresa

Omusula

Otieno

et al. 2014

Malar J

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BackgroundMost odour baits for haematophagous arthropods contain carbon dioxide (CO2). The CO2 is sourced artificially from the fermentation of refined sugar (sucrose), dry ice, pressurized gas cylinders or propane. These sources of CO2 are neither cost-effective nor sustainable for use in remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, molasses was evaluated as a potential substrate for producing CO2 used as bait for malaria mosquitoes.MethodsThe attraction of laboratory-reared and wild Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes to CO2 generated from yeast-fermentation of molasses was assessed under semi-field and field conditions in western Kenya. In the field, responses of wild Anopheles funestus were also assessed. Attraction of the mosquitoes to a synthetic mosquito attractant, Mbita blend (comprising ammonia, L-lactic acid, tetradecanoic acid and 3-methyl-1-butanol) when augmented with CO2 generated from yeast fermentation of either molasses or sucrose was also investigated.ResultsIn semi-field, the release rate of CO2 and proportion of An. gambiae mosquitoes attracted increased in tandem with an increase in the quantity of yeast-fermented molasses up to an optimal ratio of molasses and dry yeast. More An. gambiae mosquitoes were attracted to a combination of the Mbita blend plus CO2 produced from fermenting molasses than the Mbita blend plus CO2 from yeast-fermented sucrose. In the field, significantly more female An. gambiae sensu lato mosquitoes were attracted to the Mbita blend augmented with CO2 produced by fermenting 500 g of molasses compared to 250 g of sucrose or 250 g of molasses. Similarly, significantly more An. funestus, Culex and other anopheline mosquito species were attracted to the Mbita blend augmented with CO2 produced from fermenting molasses than the Mbita blend with CO2 produced from sucrose. Augmenting the Mbita blend with CO2 produced from molasses was associated with high catches of blood-fed An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus mosquitoes.ConclusionMolasses is a suitable ingredient for the replacement of sucrose as a substrate for the production of CO2 for sampling of African malaria vectors and other mosquito species. The finding of blood-fed malaria vectors in traps baited with the Mbita blend and CO2 derived from molasses provides a unique opportunity for the study of host-vector interactions.

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“…Within-family or within-genus variations in light attraction are common. For instance, mosquitoes can exhibit attraction to blue or UV lights depending on the species (Bentley et al, 2009). Based on the results of the present bioassay arena study, C. sonorensis may be using UV light as a visual cue, which is often related to sugar seeking or escaping.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other insect behavioural studies have observed insect attraction only to broader bands (∼ 50 nm) of light colours. For example, tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are most attracted to blue light (Steverding & Troscianko, ), whereas certain genera or species of mosquito are more attracted to green and UV light (Burkett et al ., ; Bentley et al ., ), and Culicoides prefer green and UV light (Bishop et al ., ). Nocturnally active insects are generally attracted to light of differing contrast and intensity (Allan et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For haematophagous insects that rely heavily on visual cues, such as tabanids, positive photoattraction has been found at ranges of 380-430 nm and 500-550 nm of light based on electroretinograms (Hanec & Bracken, 1962), with greater attraction to darker-coloured animals (Thompson & Pechuman, 1970) and objects because they contrast more strongly with the background (Granger, 1970;Roberts, 1970 behavioural studies have observed insect attraction only to broader bands (∼ 50 nm) of light colours. For example, tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are most attracted to blue light (Steverding & Troscianko, 2004), whereas certain genera or species of mosquito are more attracted to green and UV light (Burkett et al, 1998;Bentley et al, 2009), and Culicoides prefer green and UV light (Bishop et al, 2004a(Bishop et al, , 2004b. Nocturnally active insects are generally attracted to light of differing contrast and intensity (Allan et al, 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sugar‐feeding status alters biting midge photoattraction

Snyder

Cernicchiaro

Cohnstaedt

2015

Medical Vet Entomology

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The biting midge Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) transmits pathogens to both livestock and wildlife. Biting midge surveillance relies heavily on light traps for collection; however, little is known about the light spectra preferences of C. sonorensis midges. A light assay arena was constructed and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of various light spectra were used as light sources to evaluate midge photoattraction. A comparison of responses to light spectra indicated the highest proportions of C. sonorensis were attracted to ultraviolet (UV) light and that midges differentiated 10-nm differences in wavelength. Stronger intensities of UV light resulted in greater attraction. Midges exhibited both sugar-seeking and escape behaviours under different conditions of sugar supplementation before and during the experiment. These behaviours occurred with lights of 355 nm and 365 nm in wavelength. Based on the results of this study, the attraction of C. sonorensis to light traps can be improved through the use of bright LEDs at 355 nm or 365 nm.

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Response of Adult Mosquitoes to Light-emitting Diodes Placed in Resting Boxes and in the Field

Cited by 31 publications

References 12 publications

Acoustic Preference of Frog‐Biting Midges (Corethrella spp) Attacking Túngara Frogs in their Natural Habitat

Acoustic Preference of Frog‐Biting Midges (Corethrella spp) Attacking Túngara Frogs in their Natural Habitat

Molasses as a source of carbon dioxide for attracting the malaria mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus

Sugar‐feeding status alters biting midge photoattraction

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