Surveillance is a blanket term for monitoring mosquito populations over time in an integrated mosquito management program. It is the key to understanding local species mix, breeding habitats, population levels, and the potential for arbovirus disease cycles. MRCU has a range and traps and other tools available for adult and larval mosquito surveillance.
The New Jersey Light Trap
The New Jersey Light Trap was the first device used to monitor both male and female adult mosquito populations, with its design originating in the 1930s. Since the founding of MRCU in the 1960s, a network of over 30 New Jersey Light Traps has been strategically placed across all three Cayman Islands. These traps use a basic light bulb to attract mosquitoes and a motorized fan to capture them, helping MRCU gauge overall mosquito population levels and observe long-term population trends.
Advantages of the New Jersey Light Trap:
- Attracts multiple mosquito species
- Proven, effective technology for mosquito monitoring
- Stationary setup that only needs one-time installation per season
- Cost-effective
Drawbacks of the New Jersey Light Trap:
- Light attractant competes with nearby light sources
- Draws in many non-mosquito insects, complicating sorting
- Requires a power source
- Motorized fan and other insects can damage specimens, making identification harder
- Sorting mosquitoes from other insects is labor-intensive for technicians
- Equipment is heavy, making setup and removal time-intensive
The CDC Light Trap (ABC trap)
The CDC Light Trap, also known as the ABC Trap, was developed by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in the 1950s. This widely used trap is battery-powered and incorporates carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the form of dry ice or a CO₂ tank, effectively drawing in mosquitoes. Primarily utilized to monitor mosquito species composition and population densities, the CDC Light Trap also provides live specimens for disease testing.
Advantages of the CDC Light Trap:
- Lightweight and specifically attracts only mosquitoes
- Captures a broad variety of mosquito species
- Keeps mosquitoes alive for potential disease testing
- Operates on batteries, so it does not require a fixed power source
- Proven to be reliable and effective in mosquito surveillance
Drawbacks of the CDC Light Trap:
- Requires manual setup and regular visits for collection and data processing
- Battery failure may lead to data collection gaps
- Vulnerable to theft due to its portable and lightweight design