A novel device for the containment and precise release of aromatic substances is described. The device consists of a threaded-tubular polyvinyl chloride chamber (and screw-top cap) with ports for introduction and release of gaseous compounds. This chamber is inexpensive, easy to assemble, and useful for evaluating the combined release of carbon dioxide and aromatic hygroscopic substances as mosquito attractants in field studies.

Several manufacturers and pest management companies have begun to market and install outdoor automatically timed insecticide application systems that claim to provide an envelope of protection against host-seeking mosquitoes within a defined area, e.g., residential backyards. A typical system consists of a multi-gallon reservoir attached to a continuous loop of plastic tubing with multiple single spray head nozzles. Nozzles are usually placed along the perimeter of a backyard in landscaping or other areas suitable for mosquito harborage. This array is then connected to a programmable electric pump set to automatically apply an insecticide at predetermined intervals. An operational field study was conducted to evaluate this technology using previously installed MistAway systems at.3 residences in northwestern Florida. This system applied a mist-like application of 0.05% AI synergized pyrethrins for 45 sec at dawn and again at dusk in each backyard. Twice-weekly collections from ABC suction light traps, baited with carbon dioxide, were used as the evaluation tool. Female mosquitoes from treatment backyards were compared with trap collections from 3 backyards without automatic misting systems used as controls. We found that weekly mosquito reduction was highly variable and ranged from 98% to 14% during the 35-wk study. Because the primary method of reduction by these application systems was not well understood, a MistAway system was installed in an outdoor simulated residential backyard to determine exposure pathway under controlled conditions with field cage and excised-leaf bioassays. Using laboratory-reared females of Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus in those assays, we found that reduction by the MistAway system was primarily achieved by direct exposure of the mosquitoes to the insecticide application and not from residual deposits on treated vegetation.

The residual effectiveness of pyrethroid-treated vegetation as a barrier against female host-seeking Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus was evaluated in large screened-cage field tests for 12 wk. Individual potted southern wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera L.) plants were treated with either beta-cyfluthrin (Tempo SC Ultra), lambda-cyhalothrin (Demand CS), or tau-fluvalinate (Mavrik Perimeter) at maximum label rates. Suction mosquito traps (MMX) baited with carbon dioxide placed near plants treated with tau-fluvalinate provided significant overall reduction (approximately 62-80%) of mosquitoes through 2 wk compared with untreated plants. Overall percent knockdown/mortality from excised-leaf bioassays was similar to suction-trap reduction data. However, knockdown/mortality in leaf bioassays was greater for Ae. albopictus than for Cx. quinquefasciatus, whereas no such effect was observed in trap collections. Mosquito abundance in MMX collections near plants treated with beta-cyfluthrin provided similar levels of reduction as tau-fluvalinate-treated plants through 1 wk and 3-4 wk after treatment. Leaf toxicity generally provided approximately > 90% knockdown/mortality on beta-cyfluthrin treated leaves throughout the study. Generally, no consistent difference in trap reduction or weekly knockdown/mortality in leaf bioassays was observed between either mosquito species. Plants treated with lambda-cyhalothrin provided significantly greater overall reduction of mosquitoes (75-83%) from MMX collections for the first 5 wk compared with untreated plants. Knockdown/mortality levels and duration of leaf toxicity from lambda-cyhalothrin- treated leaves was similar to that of beta-cyfluthrin, with no consistent differences between mosquito species.

The residual effectiveness of pyrethroid-treated foliage as a barrier against female Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus was evaluated in large screened cage field tests. Individual potted southern wax myrtle, Myrica certifica, plants were treated with either Aqua Reslin 20 + 20 emulsifiable concentrate (EC)(20% active ingredient [AI] permethrin + 20%[AI] piperonyl butoxide), Permanone EC (10%[AI] permethrin), or Suspend suspension concentrate (SC)(4.75%[AI] deltamethrin) at maximum label rates. Generally, Aqua Reslin provided -83% overall reduction of mosquitoes during the week of treatment. After that time, mosquito reduction decreased to <50% and continued at this level for the remainder of the 12-wk study. Mosquito knockdown/mortality from excised Aqua Reslin-treated leaves revealed that this formulation quickly lost effectiveness after the initial week of treatment. Plants treated with Permanone provided =70% and 64% overall reduction during the week of, and first week after treatment, respectively. Knockdown/mortality from excised leaf bioassays of leaves treated with this formulation fell below 50% 2 wk after treatment where it remained for the rest of the study. Suspend generally provided 70 to approximately 80% overall mosquito reduction during the first 4 weeks after treatment and decreased to <50% thereafter. Residues on treated leaves provided >95% overall knockdown/mortality throughout the study and was not correlated with weekly reduction in the field cages. We believe this disparity was in part attributed to new plant growth. Newly formed leaves probably provided nontoxic surfaces for mosquito harborage.

A removal trapping method that employed individual lure-baited insect suction traps for the reduction of adult biting midges (Culicoides spp.) was evaluated in a coastal residential neighborhood of northwestern Florida during 2000. Six backyards were used in the study. Lure-baited traps consisted of one ABC PRO insect suction trap (fitted with a 30 by 30-mesh polyester screen bag) baited with carbon dioxide (500 ml/min) and a 4:1:8 mixture of 1 octen-3-ol, 3-n-propylphenol, and 4-methylphenol (5.39 +/- 0.54 mg/h) placed in each of three backyards. Lure-baited traps ran continuously during the 4-mo study. Three backyards without lure-baited traps served as controls. Adult midge populations were monitored twice weekly for 24-h in each backyard using an additional ABC PRO trap baited with carbon dioxide (500 ml/min) only. Five species of biting midges were collected from all traps in each backyard (in descending order): Culicoides mississippiensis, C. barbosai, C. melleus, C. furens, and C. hollensis. Overall reduction was not consistent in lure-baited backyards and ranged from 2.3% to 70.6% on 16 of the 30 sample dates. But when biting midge populations seasonally declined to a weekly average of < 500 midges per lure-baited trap, reduction occurred more frequently. Midge reduction did not appear to be species specific.

The French 2-tier box trap was evaluated in northwestern Florida to determine its attractiveness to host-seeking tabanids (Diptera) when baited with either CO2 alone; a 4:1:8 mixture of octenol, 3-n-propylphenol, and 4-methylphenol; or a combination of CO2 plus 4:1:8 mixture. Six genera representing 43 species were obtained from this trap. Chrysops and Tabanus made up 10.3 and 87.4% of the total, respectively, with Chrysops celatus Pechuman and Tabanus pallidescens Philip as the predominate species from these two genera. CO2 alone and in combination with the octenol/phenol mixture enhanced overall tabanid collections three- to four-fold compared with no odor. Generally, more species were collected in the top tier of the French 2-tier trap regardless of treatment. Those species that showed a significant difference between top and bottom tiers in traps without odors continued this trend when traps were baited with the semiochemicals. However, Tabanus mixis Philip showed no tier preference in traps baited by CO2 alone, whereas Tabanus lineola F. showed no stratification difference with or without odors.

The application of insecticides to perimeter vegetation for the purpose of controlling adult mosquitoes in backyards and other recreational areas has generated renewed interest among the general public. Several pyrethroids have been labeled for this use and provided, depending on chemical and formulation, up to approximately 6 wk of acceptable adult mosquito reduction. A review of past work in this area is presented. In addition, results from a recent field study by the author to determine the residual effectiveness of bifenthrin-treated vegetation as a barrier against adult mosquitoes in northwestern Florida is also presented. Bifenthrin (TalstarOne) suppressed mosquito populations in the treatment area below an annoyance action threshold of 25 mosquitoes per night in carbon dioxide-baited light traps for 5 out of the 8-wk study. Excised leaf bioassays conducted at the same time as trap collections revealed that bifenthrin-treated leaves exhibited > 70% knockdown/mortality against laboratory-reared female Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus for 4 of those weeks.

The larvicidal activity of chlorpyrifos-methyl and temephos was evaluated against Culex pipiens L.(Diptera: Culicidae) in septic tanks in Antalya, Turkey. Chlorpyrifos-methyl (Pyrifos MT 25 emulsifiable concentrate [EC]) was evaluated at application rates of 0.04, 0.08, and 0.12 mg active ingredient (AI)/liter, and temephos (Temeguard 50 EC) was evaluated at 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06 mg (AI)/liter during a 21-d study. Generally, overall larval reduction in septic tanks from single- and multifamily dwellings treated with either larvicide was significantly greater than pretreatment levels and control tanks for the duration of the study. At 14 d posttreatment, duration of control was greatest in multifamily tanks treated with chlorpyrifos-methyl at the highest application rate with similar levels of control through 21 d for single-family dwellings (range 97-100%). Septic tanks from both types of family dwellings treated at the highest application rate of temephos resulted in >90% reduction through day 21 (range 91-100%). Laboratory bioassays of septic tank water treated at field application rates, without daily dilution, revealed that complete larval mortality was achieved for 21 d at each application rate and formulation. It is thought that daily addition of water and organic matter to the septic tanks in the single and multifamily dwellings influenced the duration of effectiveness of the larvicides.

The mosquito Culex pipiens L. is an important pest in urban and suburban areas in many parts of the world. Septic tanks are the most important habitats supporting the production of this species in the city of Antalya, southwestern Turkey. Diflubenzuron, in a 25% wettable powder (Du-dim 25 WP), and a 4% granular formulation (Du-dim 4 G) was evaluated against late 2nd to early 3rd instars of Cx. pipiens in single-family septic tanks. Both formulations were tested at 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 mg (AI)/liter. The results indicated that both formulations applied at the rate of 0.02 and 0.03 mg (AI)/liter achieved 100% adult inhibition, at intervals of 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after treatment. Septic tanks treated with 0.01 mg (AI)/liter WP formulation resulted in complete (100%) adult inhibition through 14 days, whereas the G formulation gave the same effect through 21 days posttreatment at this rate.

A 2-yr study was conducted in a northwestern Florida state park and recreation area to determine tick species composition, seasonal abundance, and spatial distribution. Risk of tick attachment to park visitors was also assessed relative to tick abundance from several habitats. Tick collections consisted of weekly cloth drag samples obtained from ground and emergent vegetation along a deer trail, a walking trail located in a 3-mo-old control burned area of forest, a nonburned walking trail, picnic area, and campsites. Sampling was conducted from February 1994 through February 1996. Ticks collected during the study were as follows in descending order of abundance: Ixodes scapularis Say, Amblyomma americanum (L.), A. maculatum Koch, and Dermacentor variabilis (Say). Significantly more (<0.05) adult ticks were recovered from vegetation compared with ground samples only for I. scapularis. Adult questing I. scapularis were collected from October through May (peak December). A. americanum adults were collected from March through August (peak May). Adult A. maculatum were collected during August and September and adult D. variabilis were collected July and August. Larval and nymphal stages of questing A. americanum were collected from June through November (peak July) and February through October (peak September), respectively. A. maculatum nymphs were collected from February through April, June, and September (peak March). No nymphs of I. scapularis were collected. Only four larvae of D. variabilis were collected during the study, all during February 1995. No I. scapularis or A. maculatum larvae were collected from vegetation or ground drags. The greatest risk for tick attachment was in campsites where approximately 60% of all adult and nymphal host-seeking ticks were collected. The next greatest risk area was the walking trail located in the control burned area where an additional 28% of ticks were obtained.

A regression model was developed to predict the flight activity of Acrosternum hilare (Say) using data on the number of adults collected in a single black light trap located in Painter, VA, in the 18-yr period from 1990 to 2007. Eighteen initial weather variables, including cumulative precipitation over different time periods, mean monthly precipitation (PJA) and days below freezing (DFJA) from January to April, and mean monthly temperatures from December to April were tested in developing the regression model. Mixed (backward and forward) stepwise regression analysis showed that a two-variable model using PJA and DFJA was adequate for predicting the seasonal mean weekly number of A. hilare adults in the trap. Validation of the model using five independent black light trap data sets resulted in a strong correlation (r = 0.98) between observed and predicted mean weekly number of A. hilare adults caught in traps. Three peaks in flights of A. hilare adults were observed when mean trap catch was plotted over time for the 18-yr period. Peaks occurred at 319, 892, and 1,331 degree days (DD) from 1 January. Based on known developmental rates, the first peak was attributed to overwintered adults, the second to first-generation adults, and the third to a second generation of adults. This research suggests that A. hilare undergoes two complete generations in Virginia. Cumulative trap catch estimated from the 18-yr mean trap catch showed that 10, 50, and 90% of the total seasonal catch should occur by 153, 501, and 1,066 DD.

Mosquito Magnet-X traps were modified for use with blue, green, red, and blue-green-red light-emitting diodes and olfactory attractants to determine the response of Lutzomyia shannoni (Dyar) and Lutzomyia vexator (Coquillett)(Diptera: Psychodidae) field populations to these attractants. Red and blue-green-red-baited traps captured the highest numbers of Lu. shannoni and Lu. vexator, respectively, although, there were no significant differences between the colors. Baiting the traps with CO, attracted significantly higher numbers of Lu. shannoni but showed no effect on Lu. vexator capture. In comparison with CO, alone, Lu. shannoni preferred 1-octen-3-ol and 1-hexen-3-ol (0.05 g per trap) in combination with CO.

Field trials were conducted at 3 locations in Arkansas County, AR, to compare the effectiveness of 3 residential mosquito traps, the Stinger Mosquito Vacuum, the Mosquito Magnet Defender, and the Mosquito Deleto 2500 Active System, against riceland mosquitoes, specifically Anopheles quadrimaculatus and Psorophora columbiae. Both the Stinger Mosquito Vacuum and the Mosquito Deleto captured significantly more An. quadrimaculatus and total mosquitoes than did the Mosquito Magnet Defender. The Mosquito Deleto captured significantly more Ps. columbiae than did either of the other 2 traps.

A 1-year larval and adult population survey of pestiferous chironomids was conducted in 4 man-made wetlands in a resort area of central Florida, USA. Benthic samples were randomly collected from each wetland at least once every month. Geocoordinates, water depth, and physical composition of substrates at each larval sample location were noted. Adult midge populations were sampled weekly around the wetlands by employing 10 New Jersey light traps permanently placed in the area. Chironominae and Tanypodinae midges occurred in the larval and adult samples; a few Orthocladiinae were also taken. Among Chironominae, Chironomini (mostly Polypedilum spp., Cryptochironomus spp., Glyptotendipes paripes, and Goeldichironomus carus) and Tanytarsini (mostly Tanytarsus spp.), and some other Chironomidae were recorded. Tanypodinae were quantitatively not important. Monthly mean number of total adults per trap-night ranged from 23 in February to 211 in October. Annual mean larval density and range of total chironomids in the study wetlands amounted to 1,128/m2, range: 0-12,332/m2. The total larvae were most abundant in May. Tanytarsus spp. and Polypedilum spp. were numerically the most predominant spatially as well as temporally. Mean water depth at the sampled locations was 1.83 m (range:<1-8.75 m); 47% of the total collected larvae occurred at <1-m water depth and 53% at >1-m-deep water. Of all sampled locations, substrates such as sand, mixed substrates, and muck were respectively encountered at 656, 371, and 299 locations. The predominance of sand and mixed substrates was conducive to supporting the numerically dominant Tanytarsus spp. and Polypedilum spp. In laboratory bioassays, Tanytarsus spp., Polypedilum spp., Glyptotendipes paripes, and Goeldichironomus carus were highly susceptible to temephos, as well as to s-methoprene. Bacillus thuringiensis serovar. israelensis was most effective against Tanytarsus spp. and least against Goeldichironomus carus.

We compare the community composition, abundance, and seasonality of mosquito species detected by the encephalitis virus surveillance (EVS) CO2 traps and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps. Traps were run concurrently for a year during routine weekly monitoring in the vicinity of the city of Darwin in northern Australia. The EVS CO2 traps detected far more individuals than CDC light traps notwithstanding a weaker suction fan, but species richness was similar. Regardless of variation in community composition among sites, differences between trap types were remarkably consistent. Seasonal trends in the abundance of 5 key species from each trap type were similar, but markedly more so in strongly seasonal species. Although EVS CO2 traps outperformed CDC light traps for routine monitoring, the historical transition from the latter to the former is unlikely to have major consequences for the identification of community composition or detection of seasonal trends in key species.

We compared 6 adult mosquito traps for effectiveness in collecting Aedes albopictus from suburban backyards with the goal of finding a more suitable surveillance replacement for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light trap. Trap selection included 2 commercial propane traps (Mosquito Magnet Professional trap and Mosquito Magnet Liberty trap), 2 Aedes-specific traps (Fay-Prince Omnidirectional trap and Wilton trap), 1 experimental trap (Mosquito Magnet-X trap), and a standard surveillance CDC light trap that served as a control. Traps that did not generate carbon dioxide were provided with bottled CO2 at a flow rate of 500 ml/min. Those traps designed for use with chemical attractants (Mosquito Magnet traps) were baited with Lurex (L-lactic acid) and octenol (1-octen-3-ol) commercial baits, known attractants to Ae. albopictus. Three repetitions of a 6 x 6 Latin square test yielded a total of 37,237 mosquitoes, of which 5,280 (14.2%) were Ae. albopictus. Significantly more (P < 0.05) Ae. albopictus were collected from the experimental and commercial traps (4,244/5,280; 80.3%) than from the CDC light trap and Aedes-specific traps. The Mosquito Magnet Liberty collected the most Ae. albopictus (1,591), accounting for 30.1% of the total take, followed closely by the Mosquito Magnet-X (1,468) and the Mosquito Magnet Pro (1,185). The omnidirectional Fay-Prince trap performed better than the CDC or Wilton trap. Twenty-seven mosquito species were collected during these trials, 9 species in large enough numbers for meaningful analysis. Aedes albopictus was the second most common mosquito trapped. The results of these trials indicate that propane-powered commercial traps would serve as useful substitutes in lieu of CDC traps in Ae. albopictus surveillance efforts. Trap features advantageous for collecting Ae. albopictus and other mosquito species are discussed.

We analyzed the performance of three traps for marine fish between October 2005 and August 2006 in the Gulf of California, Mexico. The performance was measured as difference in selectivity, fish diversity, size structure and yield. The samples were collected with quadrangular traps 90 cm wide, 120 cm long and 50 cm high. Trap type 1 had a 5 x 5 cm mesh (type 2: 5 x 5 cm including a rear panel of 5 x 10 cm; trap 3: 5 x 10 cm). Most abundant in our traps were: Goldspotted sand bass (Paralabrax auroguttatus), Ocean whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps), Spotted sand bass (P. maculatofaciatus) and Bighead tilefish (C. affinis); there was no bycatch. The number offish per trap per haul decreased when mesh size was increased. We also observed a direct relationship between mesh size and average fish length. By comparing our traps with the authorized fishing gear (hooks-and-line) we found that the size structure is larger in traps. Traps with larger mesh size were more selective. Consequently, we recommend adding traps to hooks-and-line as authorized fishing gear in the small scale fisheries of the Sonora coast, Mexico.

The Scottish biting midge, Culicoides impunctatus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), is a major pest in Scotland, causing a significant impact to the Scottish tourist and forestry industries. C. impunctatus is a generalist feeder, preferring to feed on large mammals, and is notorious for its attacks on humans. Until now, there was anecdotal evidence for differential attraction of female host-seeking C. impunctatus to individual human hosts, and the mechanism for this phenomenon was unknown. Using extracts of human odor collected by air entrainment, electroantennogram recordings to identify the physiologically active components, followed by behavioral assays, we show, for the first time, the differential attraction of female C. impunctatus to human odors and the chemical basis for this phenomenon. Certain chemicals, found in greater amounts in extracts that cause low attractiveness to midges, elicit a repellent effect in laboratory assays and repellency trials in the field. Differences in the production of these natural human-derived compounds could help to explain differential "attractiveness" between different human hosts. A mixture of two compounds in particular, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one and geranylacetone [(E)-6,10-dimethylundeca-5,9-dien-2-one], showed significant repellency (87, 77.4, 74.2, and 31.6% at hours 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively) in the field and have the potential to be developed as novel repellents.