Comparing Light—Emitting—Diodes Light Traps for Catching Anopheles Mosquitoes in a Forest Setting, Western Thailand

Abstract

Light traps are a common method for attracting and collecting arthropods, including disease vectors such as mosquitoes. Various types of traps have been used to monitor mosquitoes in a forest in Western Thailand. In this study, four Light Emitting Diodes (LED) light sources (UV, blue, green, and red) and two fluorescent lights (white and UV) were used to trap nocturnal adult mosquitoes. These traps were used with light alone and not any additional attractant. The experiment was conducted from 18:00 to 06:00 h. on six consecutive nights, every two months, across dry, wet, and cold seasons. All specimens were first identified by morphological features and subsequently confirmed by using PCR. We collected a total of 873 specimens of 31 species in four genera, Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, and Armigeres. Anopheles harrisoni was the predominant species, followed by Aedes albopictus, Culex brevipalpis, Culex nitropunctatus, and Armigeres (Leicesteria) longipalpis. UV fluorescent light was the most effective light source for capturing forest mosquitoes, followed by UV LED, blue LED, green LED, white fluorescent, and red LED. The optimal times for collection were from 21:00 to 03:00 h in the dry season. Our results demonstrate that appropriate sampling times and light sources should be selected for optimal efficiency in vector surveillance programs.

Evaluation of the solar-powered Silver Bullet 2.1 (Lumin 8) light trap for sampling malaria vectors in western Kenya

“…The superiority of UV light was also observed under experimental conditions in the large field cages. The greater spectral sensitivity of nocturnal mosquitoes towards light in the UV spectrum and the use of UV light for orientation in general and towards traps has been well described [ 27 , 59 , 60 ], yet UV light traps are rarely used for routine vector surveillance. The reason for this might be because the UV light catches a higher density of non-target insects when used in traps [ 61 , 62 ] making sorting time-consuming and difficult.…”

“…A downward suction of the air by a battery-powered fan ensures that mosquitoes in close-range are pulled into a collection bag [ 26 ]. Whilst CDC light traps are available with fluorescent blue-black light tubes [ 27 ] and more recently with diodes of different colours [ 28 ], the most widely used CDC miniature light trap in vector surveillance programmes in Africa typically contains a 4–6 watts incandescent light bulb and is run with support of 6 V or 12 V batteries [ 29 – 31 ].…”

UV Light-Emitting-Diode Traps for Collecting Nocturnal Biting Mosquitoes in Urban Bangkok

“…The several types of light sources of LED lights have demonstrated efficacy in attracting various insects and pests [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Although some studies using light traps have been reported in Thailand [ 31 , 32 ], no known study has been published on the use of different wavelengths of LED lights for collecting nocturnally active urban mosquitoes in Thailand. Therefore, we compared the efficacy of five different wavelengths of UV-LED light sources to catch nocturnal mosquitoes in an urban environment of Bangkok, Thailand.…”

Can Potted Plants Catch Mosquitoes? Applying Rare-Earth Luminescent Materials and Plant Energy to the Development of Innovative Mosquito-Trapping Potted Plants

“…Research has shown that light has a good mosquito-luring effect. Among the light sources used in such applications, UV fluorescent, blue and green LEDs have the best effect in luring mosquitoes [ 21 , 22 , 40 , 41 ]. However, the difference in effectiveness between blue and green LEDs in luring mosquitoes is controversial.…”

“…Previous research has shown that LEDs have a good mosquito-luring effect [ 21 , 40 , 41 ]. In addition, the photoelectric control circuit can be switched on and off based on the presence of light through the photoresistor to reduce power consumption and limit user effort.…”