Abstract:
Objective To compare the mosquito capture efficacy of the BG-trap method and the light trap method, and to explore the precisely applicable scenarios for the two monitoring approaches.
Methods From May to October 2024, one BG-trap and one light trap were placed at eight monitoring sites, with a distance of over 10 meters between the two traps at each site. Surveillance was performed twice monthly to compare the two surveillance methods in terms of mosquito species composition, the proportional distribution of female mosquitoes across different habitats, and seasonal fluctuations in mosquito density.
Results There were statistically significant differences in mosquito species composition (χ2=60.61, P<0.001) and female mosquito species composition (χ2=37.12, P<0.001) between the BG-trap method and the light trap method, with the BG-trap method capturing a higher proportion of Aedes albopictus than the light trap method. The average density of mosquitoes monitored by the BG-trap method 13.36 mosquitoes·(trap·night)-1 was higher than that monitored by the light trap method 4.70 mosquitoes·(trap·night)-1. There was statistically significant difference (t=6.70, P<0.001) for the mosquito density between the two methods, and there was a significant positive correlation (r=0.909, P<0.001) for the mosquito density indices between the two methods. The average density of female mosquitoes monitored by the BG-trap method 8.18 mosquitoes·(trap·night)-1 was higher than that monitored by light trap method 3.36 mosquitoes·(trap·night)-1. There was statistically significant difference (t=6.00, P<0.001) for the female mosquito density between the two methods, and there was a significant positive correlation (r=0.929, P<0.001) for the female mosquito density indices between the two methods. In the four different habitats, the constituent ratio of mosquitoes and female mosquitoes monitored by the BG-trap method in descending order were urban residential area (43.80% and 40.25%), rural farm households (35.55% and 38.60%), hospital (12.70% and 12.87%), and park (7.95% and 8.28%), while the constituent ratio of mosquitoes and female mosquitoes monitored by the light trap method in descending order were rural farm households (34.37% and 43.34%), hospital (33.26% and 30.03%), park (17.96% and 15.17%), and urban residential area (14.41% and 11.46%). In different habitats, there were statistically significant differences for mosquito composition ratios (χ2=189.64, P<0.001) and female mosquito composition ratios (χ2=109.15, P<0.001) between the two monitoring methods.
Conclusion The BG-trap method offers advantages such as simple operation, compact equipment, and high efficiency, with a higher trapping rate for Aedes albopictus compared to the light trap method. In routine monitoring, the BG-trap method can serve as a supplement to the light trap method, while for emergency monitoring of Aedes albopictus in dengue fever outbreak areas and mosquito collection efforts, the BG-trap method is more effective than the light trap method.