Tests of BG-Sentinel Mosquito Trap with Aedes albopictus in Italy

Trials were performed in northern Italy in the summer of 2005, in and around the city of Alessandria (Piemonte).

BG-Sentinel vs. ovitrap

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, was first recorded in Italy in the beginning of the nineties and has since spread across most of northern part of the country. The possible presence of Asian tiger mosquitoes is normally monitored using artificial breeding containers (so-called ovitraps) that are regularily checked for mosquito eggs.

During a testing period of two weeks, six BG-Sentinels baited only with the BG-Lure were continuously run in locations in and around the city of Alessandria. All these locations were also being monitored by ovitraps. While none of the ovitraps was positive for Asian tiger mosquitoes, two BG-Sentinels proved the presence of this mosquito species.

BG-Sentinel vs. CAA-trap

The BG-Sentinel was also compared to the CAA-Trap, a trap used for mosquito monitoring by scientists and mosquito control specialists in Italy. The CAA-Trap is very similar in design to the EVS trap. It uses dry ice, i.e. frozen carbon dioxide, as an attractant.

The BG-Sentinel was baited either with the BG-Lure alone, or with the BG-Lure and carbon dioxide from dry ice. Test were performed in the city perifery of Aqui Terme. The three traps were rotated between three different positions, with three complete rotations (i.e. nine tests per trap).

The CAA-trap, although baited with carbon dioxide, caught only the most abundant mosquito species in the region (the rice field mosquito Ochlerotatus caspius) and no Asian tiger mosquitoes. In contrast, both BG-Sentinels were positive for Ae. albopictus. Also, the addition of carbon dioxide further increased the attractiveness for this mosquito.

Field trials with Aedes albopictus in Italy

BG-Sentinel vs. ovitrap

BG-Sentinel vs. CAA-trap

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