A research for an eco-friendly mosquito control by using a new mosquito trap (Mos-hole trap) in a cowshed in Yeoju of Korea

Abstract

We performed this study to find out if we could control mosquitoes in a cowshed by using CO₂-baited mosquito traps. We used eco-friendly Mos-hole traps that were developed for mosquito control in human living areas and we also evaluated the traps' efficacy, if the traps would be effective in controlling mosquitoes in a cowshed. The study was performed for 54 days (from 18 May to 10 July 2012). During the first nine turns (from 18 May to 18 June), we used 12 mosquito traps, which were baited with low CO₂ emission (35–100 ml/minute) by burning and combusting liquid naphtha. In the next phase (10 to 13 turns; 21 June to 4 July), we kept the same low CO₂ emission in six traps but increased the CO₂ concentration (500 ml/minute) in the other six traps. In the 14th turn (July 10), all 12 mosquito traps were used with higher CO₂ concentration, using compressed cylinders of CO₂. Mosquitoes were collected at each turn and the total trapped female mosquitoes during the study period were 31,715 individuals, and we identified 6 genera and 16 species. The predominant species was Aedes vexans nipponii (63.838%). We found that 5.2 times more mosquitoes were caught at higher emission rates of CO_2. Finally, our study partly revealed that higher emission of CO₂ might be a reliable substitute for proper control of the adult female mosquitoes and we absolutely need to develop a more efficient mosquito trap for cowshed areas.

Keywords:

• cowshed
• CO₂ emission
• female mosquito control
• Mos-hole trap

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by research grants from Seoul Women's University.