Attractant resting boxes for rapid collection and surveillance of Aedes aegypti (L.) inside houses

Abstract

Three different resting station designs made of cardboard covered with black cloth were evaluated for their attractiveness to Aedes aegypti populations resting inside houses in Thailand. Box designs attracted more females (but not males) than an open-panel design. Thirty to 60% of all adult Ae. aegypti resting inside houses were collected by aspirating from 2-4 resting boxes placed inside houses. Tall boxes (90 cm) did not attract more females or males than short boxes (45 cm). Forty-two percent more females (but fewer males) were attracted to boxes when oviposition bowls were placed inside the boxes. Four boxes per house attracted 32% more mosquitoes than two boxes. Aspirating from artificial resting stations is an efficient and rapid method for sampling male and teneral, bloodfed, and gravid female Ae. aegypti resting inside houses.